In vitro anti-adenoviral activity of five Allium plants

This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of extract of five Allium plants (shallots, garlic, onions, leeks, and green onions) and pure compounds of quercetin, zalcitabine (ddC), allicin, and ribavirin against adenovirus. With regard to the antiviral activity of ddC, both the MTT and PRD (Plaque reduction) methods showed a high correlation (R2=0.8952) with no significant difference (paired t-test, p>0.05). Most of the Allium plants tested were non-toxic to human lung carcinoma (A549) cells, and shallots exhibited the highest level of antiviral activity for both ADV41 and ADV3, followed by garlic and onions. Shallots exhibited the highest level of antiviral activity against ADV3 and ADV41 infection from 0 to 2h, during the early period of virus replication. MTT assay with A549 cells proved to be a rapid and sensitive assay system for screening anti-adenoviral drugs. The potential of shallots for use in treating adenoviral infection merits further studies. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the anti-adenoviral activities of the Allium plant.