Antiviral and Cytotoxic Activities of Extracts from the Cell Cultures and Respective Parts of Some Turkish Medicinal Plants

Authors: ATALAY SÖKMEN

Abstract: Extracts from respective parts and cell cultures of some Turkish medicinal plants have been assessed for their antiviral and cytotoxic properties. None of the extracts tested showed notable activity against herpes simplex viruses (HSV-I and II), but a slight antiretroviral activity against HIV-I was determined in an extract from Hypericum capitatum cell cultures. On the other hand, according to cytotoxic activity test results against brine shrimp (Artemia salina), an activity level of LD_{50} at 34.9 µg/ml was found on the extracts of Ecbalium elaterium cell cultures.

Keywords: Antiviral activity, antiretroviral activity, cytotoxicity, plant cell cultures, crude extracts, Turkish medicinal plants, Artemia salina

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