Lavandula austroapennina: Assessment of the Antiviral Activity of Lipophilic Extracts from Its Organs

A study on the endemic plant Lavandula austroapennina from Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park reveals that its lipophilic extracts, particularly from the stem, exhibit potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), human coronavirus HCoV-229E, and poliovirus type 1 (PV-1). Using ultra-high-performance chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS), researchers analyzed the chemical composition of extracts from different plant organs, identifying variations in fatty acids, ursanes, and oleanane-type triterpenes. Notably, the stem extract demonstrated complete inhibition of viruses at low doses without cytotoxic effects on Vero CCL-81 cells, suggesting direct interference with viral envelopes. This discovery highlights the potential of L. austroapennina as a valuable resource for antiviral therapies, underscoring the importance of preserving and studying medicinal plant heritage in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Chianese, A., Gravina, C., Morone, M. V., Ambrosino, A., Formato, M., Palma, F., Foglia, F., Nastri, B. M., Zannella, C., Esposito, A., De Filippis, A., Piccolella, S., Galdiero, M., & Pacifico, S. (2023). Lavandula austroapennina: Assessment of the Antiviral Activity of Lipophilic Extracts from Its Organs. Viruses, 15(8), 1648. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15081648