Antiviral activity of maca (Lepidium meyenii) against human influenza virus

• Autores: Del Valle Mendoza, Juana, Pumarola, Tomàs, Alzamora Gonzales, Libertad, Del Valle, Luis J.
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2014
• Institución: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas
• Repositorio: UPC-Institucional
• Lenguaje: inglés
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorioacademico.upc.edu.pe:10757/335865
• Enlace del recurso: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/335865
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Influenza virus flu; Antiviral activity; Lepidium meyenii; Maca

Objective: To investigate antiviral activity of maca to reduce viral load in kidney (MDCK) cells infected with influenza type A and B viruses (Flu-A and MFalud-inB-, Dreasrpbeyc ctiavneilny)e. Methods: Maca were extracted with methanol (1:2, v/v). The cell viability and toxicity of the eaxgtariancstts Fwluer-eA e avnaldu aFtleud- oBn v MirDusCeKs cwealsls a usssianyge dm uetshinogd aM TteTs ta sfosar yd. eAtenrtmiviinrainl ga ctthiev itiyn hoifb citoimonp oouf nthdes cytopathic effect on cell culture and multiplex RT-PCR. Results: The methanol extract of maca showed low cytotoxicity and inhibited influenza-induced cytopathic effect significantly, while viral load was reduced via inhibition of viral growth in MDCK infected cells. Maca contains potent inhibitors of Flu-A and Flu-B with a selectivity index [cytotoxic concentration 50%/IC50] of 157.4 and 110.5, respectively. Conclusions: In vitro assays demonstrated that maca has antiviral activity not only against Flu-A (like most antiviral agents) but also Flu-B viruses, providing remarkable therapeutic benefits.