Abstract

Avicenniaceae family is a member of true mangrove plants which has one genus, 11 species and several subspecies. Avicennia marina is the most current species among these plants in Iranian mangrove forest. Regarding to the presence of many  active biological constituents in this plant and their applications in traditional and alternative medicine, the in vitro antiviral activity  of  its  leaf extract on herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and vaccine strain of polio virus (Sabin) in Vero cell line were determined. The CC50 of the extract was 5750.96 for Vero cells. The antiviral effect of the extract on HSV-1 and vaccine strain of polio virus before and after the attachment of the virus particles to Vero cells were assessed. The IC50 values of the extract were 66 µg/ml and 137.24 µg/ml for before and after virus attachment stages of HSV-1 replication cycle respectively. The IC50 values of extract for vaccine strain of poliovirus were 145.7 and 314.3 µg/ml for before and after attachment stages of virus replication respectively. The SI values of the extract for the before and after virus attachment stages of viral replication cycle were 87.1 and  41.9  for  HSV-1.  The SI for the vaccine strain of poliovirus were calculated 39.5 and 18.3 for before and post attachment stages of this virus replication cycle ordinarily. The obtained SI values indicate that hot glycerin extract of A. marina leaves could be a good candidate for further studies in the area of antiviral compound developing.

Key words: HSV-1, vaccine strain of poliovirus, antiviral, Avicennia marina