In vitro anti-viral effect of β-santalol against influenza viral replication

The anti-influenza A/HK (H3N2) virus activity of beta-santalol was evaluated in MDCK cells and investigated the effect of beta-santalol on synthesis of viral mRNAs. beta-Santalol was investigated for its antiviral activity against influenza A/HK (H3N2) virus using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method. beta-Santalol exhibited anti-influenza A/HK (H3N2) virus activity of 86% with no cytotoxicity at the concentration of 100 mu g/ml reducing the formation of a visible CPE. Oseltamivir also showed moderate antiviral activity of about 83% against influenza A/HK (H3N2) virus at the concentration of 100 mu g/ml. Furthermore, the mechanism of anti-influenza virus action in the inhibition of viral mRNA synthesis was analyzed by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and the data indicated an inhibitory effect in late viral RNA synthesis compared with oseltamivir in the presence of 100 mu g/ml of beta-santalol. beta-Santalol should be further studied for therapeutic and prophylactic potential especially for influenza epidemics and pandemics. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.