A fungal Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase enhances the therapeutic efficacy of a plant polyphenol extract in experimental influenza virus infection.

The combined protective effect of a polyphenol-rich extract, isolated from Geranium sanguineum L. (PC), and a novel naturally glycosylated Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase, produced from the fungal strain Humicula lutea 103 (HL-SOD), in the experimental influenza A virus infection (EIVI) in mice, induced with the virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2), was investigated. The combined application of HL-SOD and PC in doses, which by themselves do not defend significantly mice in EIVI, resulted in a synergistically increased protection, determined on the basis of protective indices and amelioration of lung injury.

Antioxidant and prooxidant properties of a polyphenol-rich extract from Geranium sanguineum L. in vitro and in vivo.

A polyphenol-rich extract from Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) protected biological membranes due to its antioxidant capacity. PC caused a dose-dependent decrease of the osmotic hemolysis of human erythrocytes and increased their resistance against the toxic effect of H(2)O(2); no effect on catalase activity was observed.

Antimicrobial activity and protective properties of vaginal lactobacilli from healthy Bulgarian women.

The role of vaginal Lactobacillus as an efficient barrier against invading pathogens is of considerable interest. The purpose of the present study was to assess in vitro the ability of 20 recently identified vaginal lactobacilli to protect the vagina. In order to evaluate their significance, the antimicrobial, hemagglutination (HA) and aggregation (Agg) activities, as well as acid and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production, were estimated.

Effect of a plant polyphenol-rich extract on the lung protease activities of influenza-virus-infected mice.

Influenza infection was induced in white mice by intranasal inoculation of the virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2). The lung protease and the protease-inhibitory activities were followed for 9 days after infection. The intranasal application of a polyphenol-rich extract (PC) isolated from Geranium sanguineum L.

Proteinase inhibitors from Streptomyces with antiviral activity.

An extensive screening study for the production of proteolytic inhibitors has been carried out on 75 Streptomyces strains. It was found that 18 of the strains and/or their variants (24%) produced proteinaceous substances, which belonged to the group of typical serine protease inhibitors. 23 samples were tested for inhibitory activity on the replication of influenza virus A/Germany/34, strain Rostock (H7N1) (A/Rostock) in chicken embryonic fibroblast (CEF) cells.

Biologically active constituents of a polyphenol extract from Geranium sanguineum L. with anti-influenza activity.

From the aerial roots of the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. a polyphenol-rich extract with strong anti-influenza activity has been isolated. To investigate its active fractions, the extract was partitioned by solvents with increasing polarity.

Purification and characterisation of a protease inhibitor from Streptomyces chromofuscus 34-1 with an antiviral activity.

The aim of this study was to purify and characterise a novel protease inhibitor (PISC-2002) isolated from culture supernatants of Streptomyces chromofuscus. PISC-2002 was purified by anion-exchange chromatography, and RP-HPLC analysis. PISC-2002 had a molecular mass of 11.

In vitro antioxidant activity of polyphenol extracts with antiviral properties from Geranium sanguineum L.

Recent evidence shows that plant polyphenols exhibit antioxidant and radical scavenging properties. By three separate and complementary methods--DPPH assay, beta-carotene-linoleic acid assay and NBT-reduction assay it was established that a polyphenol-rich extract from the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. with strong anti-influenza virus activity, possessed antioxidant and radical scavenging capacities.

A plant polyphenol-rich extract restores the suppressed functions of phagocytes in influenza virus-infected mice.

Influenza infection was induced in white ICR mice by intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of the virus A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2).

Antiviral activity of the red marine alga Ceramium rubrum.

An extract from the red marine alga Ceramium rubrum (Huds.) Ag. from the Bulgarian Black Sea seacoast considerably inhibited the reproduction of influenza viruses type A and B in vitro and in ovo.

In vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities of the essential oil and various extracts from herbal parts and callus cultures of Origanum acutidens.

The essential oil and various extracts obtained from Origanum acutidens and methanol extracts (MeOH) from callus cultures have been evaluated for their antioxidative, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. The essential oil exhibited strong antimicrobial activity with a significant inhibitory effect against 27 (77%) of the 35 bacteria, 12 (67%) of the 18 fungi, and a yeast tested and moderate antioxidative capacity in DPPH and beta-carotene/linoleic acid assays. GC and GC-MS analyses of the oil resulted in the identification of 38 constituents, carvacrol being the main component.

Structural and functional analysis of glycosylated Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase from the fungal strain Humicola lutea 103.

The fungal strain Humicola lutea 103 produces a naturally glycosylated Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) (HLSOD). To improve its yield, the effect of increased concentration of Cu2+ (from 1 to 750 microg/ml) on growth and enzyme biosynthesis was studied. The primary structure of this fungal enzyme has been determined by Edman degradation of peptide fragments derived from proteolytic digest.

In vitro anti-influenza virus activity of the pavine alkaloid (-)-thalimonine isolated from Thalictrum simplex L.

The pavine alkaloid (-)-thalimonine (Thl), isolated from the Mongolian plant Thalictrum simplex inhibited markedly the reproduction of influenza virus A/Germany/27, str. Weybridge (H7N7) and A/Germany/34, str. Rostock (H7N1) in cell cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts.

In vitro anti-influenza virus activity of isoquinoline alkaloids from thalictrum species.

The in vitro anti-influenza virus effects of some isoquinoline alkaloids, isolated from Thalictrum species (Ranunculaceae), growing in Mongolia and Sweden have been studied. (-)-thalimonine (Thl) and (-)-thalimonine N-oxide, isolated from the Mongolian plant T. simplex, inhibited markedly the influenza virus reproduction in vitro; thalictuberine N-oxide was less effective.

A novel glycosylated Cu/Zn-containing superoxide dismutase: production and potential therapeutic effect.

The fungal strain Humicola lutea 103 produces a naturally glycosylated Cu/Zn SOD. To improve its yield, the effect of an increased concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) on growth and enzyme biosynthesis by the producer, cultivated in a 3 l bioreactor, was examined. Exposure to a 20% DO level caused a 1.