The Inhibition of Infection by Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Influenza Virus by Extracts from Phytolacca americana

Abstract

SUMMARY Extracts of the leaves of Phytolacca americana and partially purified preparations of such extracts caused marked inhibition of the infection of Chenopodium quinoa by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and of the infection of monkey kidney cells and embryonated hen eggs by the A2/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) strain of influenza virus. Both viruses became non-infective when mixed with preparations of the extracts but infectivity was regained when the viruses were separated from them by centrifuging.