Antiphage activity in extracts of plants growing in Greece

Crude aqueous extracts of 255 plant taxa growing in various areas of Greece were screened for antiphage activity against 6 bacteriophages (T1, T2, T4, T7, MS 2 and ФX 174). This laboratory model has been used for the initial detection of antiviral and/or antineoplastic activity. Thirty eight extracts showed antiphage activity against one or more of the bacterial viruses used. When the active extracts were tested in the presence of Tryptone Soya Broth, part of the antiphage activity remained in 7 extracts, whereas when tested in the presence of fresh human plasma, the antiphage activity was abolished, possibly due to the precipitation of the active compounds by tannins or related substances.