ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF FRUIT EXTRACTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inactivation of poliovirus with strawberry extract was time and concentration dependent and could be prevented or reduced but not reversed with serum or gelatin. Strawberry extract inactivated several enteric viruses and herpes simplex virus, and extracts of several fruits inactivated poliovirus; the degree of activity varied with the virus type and the fruit species showing a minimum two log reduction with undiluted fruit extracts, adjusted to pH 7.0. Step‐wise ultrafiltration of strawberry extract indicated that activity was found in fractions of molecular weight <500. 500‐2000. 10.000‐30.000 and >300.000. Several compoinds of plant origin were’ found to be antiviral; tannic acid was especially potent. Treatment of HEp2 cells with strawberry extract or tannic acid reduced subsequent infection with virus, almost a log; inhibition was prevented and reversed completely with serum or gelatin. The antiviral components of various fruits and plants may act both on viruses and host cells to prevent infection.