In vitro antiviral activity of a saponin from Anagallis arvensis, Primulaceae, against herpes simplex virus and poliovirus.

The antiviral activity of a triterpene saponin isolated from Anagallis arvensis, Primulaceae, was studied in vitro against several viruses including herpes simplex type 1, adenovirus type 6, vaccinia, vesicular stomatitis and poliovirus. The drug was found to inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 and poliovirus type 2 as shown by inhibition of cytopathic effect and reduction of virus production. The action was not due to a virucidal effect but might involve inhibition of virus-host cell attachment.

[Fatal poisoning by water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata)].

The authors relate clinical and toxicological data concerning a recent deadly intoxication by OEnanthe crocata absorption and stress upon awkwardness of clinical diagnosis. Most frequent cases were observed by veterinarians in bovine and porcine intoxications. This plant grows in wet meadows of western France and south-west of England.

[Autoxidation rate increase of linoleic acid in the presence of tocopherol in aqueous medium ; study of the transformation of tocopherol].

Linoleic acid in aqueous emulsion is spontaneously autoxidized and product hydroperoxides. In vitro the autoxidation of the cis-9, cis-12, octadecadienoic acid with DL-alpha-tocopherol, both emulsified in water, shows an important increase of the hydroperoxides. During this time the tocopherol quickly disappears.