evaluation of novel antiviral activities of 60 medicinal plants extracts against hepatitis B virus.

Currently, >35 Saudi Arabian medicinal plants are traditionally used for various liver disorders without a scientific rationale. This is the first experimental evaluation of the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) potential of the total ethanolic and sequential organic extracts of 60 candidate medicinal plants. The extracts were tested for toxicity on HepG2.2.15 cells and cytotoxicity concentration (CC) values were determined. The extracts were further investigated on HepG2.2.15 cells for anti-HBV activities by analyzing the inhibition of HBsAg and HBeAg production in the culture supernatants, and their half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) and therapeutic index (TI) values were determined. Of the screened plants, (dichloromethane extract, IC=10.65), (ethyl acetate extract, IC=14.45), (total ethanol extract, IC=31.57), (hexane extract, IC=35.44), (aqueous extract, IC=66.82), (total ethanol extract, IC=71.9), (methanol extract, IC=73.21), (dichloromethane extract, IC=99.76) and (total ethanol extract, IC=101.46) demonstrated novel anti-HBV activities in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Further qualitative phytochemical analysis of the active extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins, which are attributed to antiviral efficacies. In conclusion, and had the most promising anti-HBV potentials, including those of , , and with marked activities. However, a detailed phytochemical study of these extracts is essential to isolate the active principle(s) responsible for their novel anti-HBV potential.