Antiviral activity of a standardized root water extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta®) against dengue virus

A George; K Zandi; J Biggins; S Chinnappan; P Hassandarvish; A Yusof

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Antiviral activity of a standardized root water extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta®) against dengue virus

Author: George, A. ¹ ; Zandi, K. ² ; Biggins, J. ³ ; Chinnappan, S. ^{4
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5} ; Hassandarvish, P. ⁶ ; Yusof, A. ⁷
Author Information

1. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2. Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
3. IBT BioServices, 21 Firstfield Rd, Suite 100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, United States of America
4. Research &
5. Development Department, Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, Lot 21, Jalan U1/19, Section U1, Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
6. Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Exercise Science, Sports Centre, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Publication Type:Journal Article
From:Tropical Biomedicine 2019;36(2):412-421
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiviral property of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL) against dengue virus. A propriety standardized extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Physta®) was tested for anti-viral activity after viral adsorption in Vero cell line. Viral yield was measured by qRT-PCR in four serotypes of dengue virus. The antiviral activity was further investigated in an in vivo AG129 mouse model for dengue inhibitory candidates. 100 mg/kg EL extract was fed twice daily and challenged with a lethal dose of (~1x105 PFU per mouse) of DENV-2 over a period of six days. Antiviral activity with IC50 of 33.84, 33.55, 58.35 and 119 μg/ml for DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 serotypes respectively was observed. The selectivity index (SI) values determined as the ratio of cytotoxic concentration (CC50) to inhibitory concentration (IC50) was the lowest for DENV-2 at 28.9. The dengue virus (DENV) replication measured by qRT-PCR showed a reduction of 100% for DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and 80% for DENV-4 at day 2 of exposure. In the in vivo AG129 mouse model, a lower weight reduction, 30% lower viral load and 12% higher platelet in the extract group compared to the control was observed at day 6. The extract of E. longifolia has potential anti-dengue properties with improving trends in platelet counts. E. longifolia supplementation is potentially a two-pronged approach in treating dengue fever.
Full text:8.2019my1025.pdf