Abstract
There is constant quest to prevent and counterfight annual influenza viral epidemics, given the limitations and drawbacks of antivirals chemicals so far. The aim of the present study was to test on an experimental viral model a phytocompound containing herbal ingredients endowed by, albeit scattered, reports of antiviral properties (GPK/B20, Viraxil, Named, Italy). Two influenza models were employed, i.e. H1N1 and H3N2. In vitro test showed that GSK/B20, especially at medium and high dose (50µl/mL to 100µl/mL) significantly reduced the infection of Madin-Darby-Canine-Kidney monolayers cells and progression of cytopathogenic effect over the observation period. More interestingly, when this compound was test 1h after infection on mice, especially at high dose (60g/kg/day), it appeared to significantly blunt the immune/inflammatory cells recruitment and the inflammatory cytokine cascade (at lung tissue level and bronco-alveolar lavage level), curbing also the related gene expression. This was associated to a reduced lung oedema, which is the correlate of respiratory distress in humans, viral load and scanning electron microscopy findings. In the meantime, more detailed experimental studies are warranted to unveil the range of mechanisms of actions that these natural ingredients are likely to be endowed with. Although these data have to be taken with caution having being obtained in an experimental-controlled setting, they suggest a potential safe application in the clinical practice, as recently corroborated for one of the herbal used.