Discovery of anti-avian influenza compounds from Eurya nitida and Maesa perlarius

Viral infections cause various human diseases that threaten public health. Avian influenza (AIV) refers to influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds. The largest and most deadly pandemic in recorded history occurred in 1918 with an estimated death toll of more than 40 million people world-wide, which was caused by an H1N1 subtype influenza A virus. H5N1 is another deadly pathogenic avian influenza subtypes that cause severe disease and death both in human and poultry. Herbal medicines provide vast resources for the development of novel antiviral drugs. We have recently identified two anti-bird flu entry active plant leads (Eurya nitida, Theaceae; Maesa perlarius, Myrsinaceae) from evaluation of >2,000 plant extracts. Bioassay-guided separation of the MeOH extracts of the stems of the two plant has led to the identification of a number of anti-avian flu compounds. The isolated compounds have been evaluated against the influenza viruses of H1N1, H3N2, H5N1 and H9N2.