Nat Prod Res. 2014 May 22:1-5. [Epub ahead of print]

In vitro antiviral activity of Ficus carica latex against caprine herpesvirus-1.

Camero M1, Marinaro M, Lovero A, Elia G, Losurdo M, Buonavoglia C, Tempesta M.

• 1a Department of Veterinary Medicine , University of Bari , Sp. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano , BA , Italy.

The latex of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) has been shown to possess antiviral properties against some human viruses. To determine the ability of F. carica latex (F-latex) to interfere with the infection of caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) in vitro, F-latex was resuspended in culture media containing 1% ethanol and was tested for potential antiviral effects against CpHV-1. Titration of CpHV-1 in the presence or in the absence of F-latex was performed on monolayers of Madin Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells. Simultaneous addition of F-latex and CpHV-1 to monolayers of MDBK cells resulted in a significant reduction of CpHV-1 titres 3 days post-infection and this effect was comparable to that induced by acyclovir. The study suggests that the F-latex is able to interfere with the replication of CpHV-1 in vitro on MDBK cells and future studies will determine the mechanisms responsible for the observed antiviral activity.

KEYWORDS: CpHV-1; Ficus carica latex; antiviral activity; goat; herpesvirus

PMID: 24853920