The anti-influenza virus effect of Phellinus igniarius extract

J Microbiol. 2013 Oct;51(5):676-81. doi: 10.1007/s12275-013-3384-2. Epub 2013 Oct 31.

Abstract

Herbal medicine has been used in the orient for thousands of years to treat large and small ailments, including microbial infections. Although there are treatments for influenza virus infection, there is no treatment for drug-resistant viruses. It is time that we explored and exploited the multi-component nature of herbal extracts as multi-drug combination therapies. Here, we present data on the anti-influenza virus effect of a medicinal mushroom, Phellinus igniarius. The P. igniarius water extract was effective against influenza A and B viruses, including 2009 pandemic H1N1, human H3N2, avian H9N2, and oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 viruses. Virological assays revealed that the extract may interfere with one or more early events in the influenza virus replication cycle, including viral attachment to the target cell. Therefore, our results provide new insights into the use of P. igniarius as an anti-influenza medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Basidiomycota / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza A virus / physiology
  • Influenza B virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza B virus / physiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Orthomyxoviridae
  • Virus Attachment / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents