Antiviral activity of plant species from Tierra del Fuego

Abstract

The search for new antivirals is a constant and current need. Numerous viral infections recognized for a long time in the old world begin to be a health problem for America (Chikungunya, Zika, among others), which do not have available antiviral treatments. In addition, the appearance of strains of other resistant viral pathologies, such as herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-I), is added. In the Island Tierra de Fuego, there is a large number of plant species that have not been studied. They are plants that grow in inhospitable environmental conditions and have designed defence mechanisms that allow them to survive in this type of environment. These characteristics could favour that these species possess bioactive compounds with a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this context, we proposed to evaluate in a preliminary way the cytotoxicity and the in vitro antiviral effect of extracts of native plants of Tierra del Fuego against Chikungunya (CHIKV) and HSV-1 viruses. Specimens of the species Empetrum rubrum Vaht ex Willd were selected. (Empetraceae) uvilla (Er) and Plantago barbata subsp. Austro-Andean Rahn. (Plantaginaceae) murtilla (Pb)