Antiviral Potential of Plant-Derived Polyphenols Against Varicellovirus Bovinealpha1

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Novi Sad have evaluated the antiviral potential of five polyphenolic compounds found in medicinal plants against bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoAHV-1), a model for the Orthoherpesviridae family. The study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of quercetin, rutin, baicalein, (-)-epicatechin, and ethyl gallate, and their combinations, to develop novel antiviral therapies targeting herpesviruses.

Key Takeaways:

  • Quercetin, rutin, and baicalein exhibited notable antiviral activity against BoAHV-1, with IC50 values of 16.8 μg/mL, 21.4 μg/mL, and 26.4 μg/mL, respectively.
  • The compounds showed high selectivity indices, indicating minimal cytotoxicity.
  • Combinatorial treatments revealed significant synergistic effects, with reduced IC50 values.
  • The active compounds reduced gB gene expression, regardless of treatment timing.
  • (-)-Epicatechin and ethyl gallate exhibited no measurable antiviral effect.
  • The study supports the antiviral potential of certain plant-derived polyphenols, both alone and in synergy, as candidates for novel antiviral therapies.
  • Jovana Mitrovic, Verica Aleksic Sabo, Gospava Lazic, and Petar Knezevic were involved in the research.
  • The study was funded by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development And Innovation of The Republic of Serbia.

Statistics:

  • IC50 values for quercetin, rutin, and baicalein were 16.8 μg/mL, 21.4 μg/mL, and 26.4 μg/mL, respectively.
  • (-)-Epicatechin and ethyl gallate showed IC50 values of 256 μg/mL.
  • Selectivity indices for quercetin, rutin, and baicalein were 15.4, 10.0, and 8.0, respectively.
  • The study evaluated the antiviral effects of 12 combinations of the five compounds.

Sources:

  • Mitrovic, J., et al. Antiviral activity of selected plant-derived polyphenols against Varicellovirus bovinealpha1 (BoAHV-1). AMB Express, 2025, 15(1):1-13.
  • Mitrovic, J., et al. Antiviral activity of selected plant-derived polyphenols against Varicellovirus bovinealpha1 (BoAHV-1). AMB Express, 2025, 15(1):1-13. (AMB Express - http://www.amb-express.com/)
  • University of Novi Sad Researchers Have Published New Data on Varicellovirus [Antiviral activity of selected plant-derived polyphenols against Varicellovirus bovinealpha1 (BoAHV-1)]. Life Science Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 8251.