Antiviral activity of crude extracts of <i style="">Eugenia jambolana</i> Lam. against highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus

Abstract

Crude extracts of leaves and bark of <i style="">E. jambolana</i> were tested for antiviral activity against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) by CPE reduction assay in three different layouts to elucidate virucidal, post-exposure and pre-exposure antiviral activity of the extracts. The cold and hot aqueous extracts of bark and hot aqueous extract of leaves of <i style="">E. jambolana</i> showed significant virucidal activity (100% inhibition) which was further confirmed in virus yield reduction assay (~98 to 99% reduction) and by egg based <i style="">in ovo</i> assay. The selective index (CC₅₀/EC₅₀) of hot aqueous extract (248) and cold aqueous extract (43.5) of bark of <i style="">E. jambolana</i> showed their antiviral potential against H5N1 virus. The significant virucidal activity of leaves and bark of <i style="">E. jambolana</i> merits further investigation as it may provide alternative antiviral agent for managing avian influenza infections in poultry farms and potential avian-human transmission.