[Experimental phytotherapy of tick-borne encephalitis].

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Virology
• Immunology

Context:

• Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) poses a significant public health concern, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
• Natural products, particularly plant-derived compounds, are increasingly investigated for their medicinal properties, including antiviral activities.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the in vitro virucidal efficacy of various plant aqueous extracts against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus.
• To assess the in vivo capacity of selected plant extracts to confer resistance against TBE virus infection in a murine model.

Summary:

• Aqueous extracts from ledum, motherwort, celandine, black currant, cowberry, and bilberry demonstrated substantial inactivation of TBE virus in cell culture.
• In vivo studies revealed that extracts of motherwort, ledum, tansy, and black currant significantly improved survival rates and prolonged longevity in TBE virus-infected mice.
• The observed antiviral and resistance-inducing effects were dependent on the specific plant preparation and administration route.

Impact:

• This research highlights the potential of specific plant extracts as sources for developing new antiviral agents against TBE virus.
• The findings suggest that phytotherapy could offer a complementary or alternative approach to managing TBE virus infections.
• Further investigation into the active compounds and mechanisms of action of these plant extracts is warranted for therapeutic development.