Antiviral activity of root extracts from Tagetes minuta against Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1)

A large number of plants have been used by various societies for the treatment of disease. Tagetes minuta L. (Asteraceae) is an annual species native of South American, although it has became widespread throughout the world. It is used in medicinal tea and condiments. Decoction of the plant is used as beverage and as a remedy for common cold, digestive system complaints, stomach upsets, diarrhea and liver ailments. Moreover, essential oil, other secondary metabolites reported from plants are flavonoids and thiophene. The natural thiophenes, which usually contain 12 carbon atoms, exhibit substantial antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, nematocidal and insecticidal properties. Characterized 4-thiophenes as major components, BBT, BBTOH, BBTOAc and a-T, which occur in different concentrations in every part of Tagetes plants. The main site of thiophene accumulation is howere, the root. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of root extract of Tagetes minuta on HSV-1. For this purpose root plant was collected in full bloom stage and washed. The roots plant material was ground and extracted with 70% ethanol by maceration. The macerate was filtered and concentrated at 40 C in a rotary evaporator. Vero cell was grown in Dulbeco’s modified Eagle medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum, in 96 well microtest trays. The results shown that Tagetes minuta has activity against HSV-1 virus cytopathic effect. So possibly root extracts from Tagetes minuta has the potential antiviral activity.