Anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus Agents from Phytomedicine

Although the global importance of RSV as a respiratory pathogen has been recognized for over 40 years, suitable prophylactic and therapeutic interventions have not been truly available. Vaccine development, unfortunately, has been fraught with spectacular failure and with difficult obstacles, and there are only limited therapeutic options for treatment of this disease. Currently, the only approved prophylactic options available involve the use of Palivizumab and its derivative Motivizumab (currently under trial) which are both monoclonal antibodies directed against RSV surface fusion protein. Ribavirin, a broadspectrum anti-viral agent, is the only therapeutic option employed as adjunctive therapy for the sickest patients; however, its efficacy has been called into question by multiple studies, and most institutions no longer use it. Moreover, the use of both agents has been shown to be costly and difficult to handle. Therefore, the search for novel anti-viral inhibitors of RSV has become more intensive. It could be recalled that potent anti-viral agents have previously been harnessed from medicinal plants. Since medicinal plants have consistently served as suitable lead sources for potent anti-viral agents, efforts have also been made by several investigators in developing anti-RSV compounds from phytomedicine. In this present research paper, we present a review of the past to present activities involving the discovery and development of novel and effective anti-RSV compounds from phytomedicine. First, we begin by briefly describing the problem of the global disease burden of RSV as well as efforts and approaches so far adopted to contain the viral menace. In the next section we introduce the subject of phytomedicine and anti-RSV therapeutic products originating from various reported medicinal plants. Straightforward and discreet description is made of investigations carried out by our workgroup in our attempt to develop anti-RSV compounds from medicinal plants especially Ramalina farinaceae and Aglaia ignea. Here also in this section, we present and discuss published results from other investigators regarding compounds from other medicinal plant sources. The importance of the process and techniques leading to their identification and isolation is highlighted. Attention is drawn to


Introduction
Although the global importance of RSV as a respiratory pathogen has been recognized for over 40 years, suitable prophylactic and therapeutic interventions have not been truly available. Vaccine development, unfortunately, has been fraught with spectacular failure and with difficult obstacles, and there are only limited therapeutic options for treatment of this disease. Currently, the only approved prophylactic options available involve the use of Palivizumab and its derivative Motivizumab (currently under trial) which are both monoclonal antibodies directed against RSV surface fusion protein. Ribavirin, a broadspectrum anti-viral agent, is the only therapeutic option employed as adjunctive therapy for the sickest patients; however, its efficacy has been called into question by multiple studies, and most institutions no longer use it. Moreover, the use of both agents has been shown to be costly and difficult to handle. Therefore, the search for novel anti-viral inhibitors of RSV has become more intensive. It could be recalled that potent anti-viral agents have previously been harnessed from medicinal plants. Since medicinal plants have consistently served as suitable lead sources for potent anti-viral agents, efforts have also been made by several investigators in developing anti-RSV compounds from phytomedicine. In this present research paper, we present a review of the past to present activities involving the discovery and development of novel and effective anti-RSV compounds from phytomedicine. First, we begin by briefly describing the problem of the global disease burden of RSV as well as efforts and approaches so far adopted to contain the viral menace. In the next section we introduce the subject of phytomedicine and anti-RSV therapeutic products originating from various reported medicinal plants. Straightforward and discreet description is made of investigations carried out by our workgroup in our attempt to develop anti-RSV compounds from medicinal plants especially Ramalina farinaceae and Aglaia ignea. Here also in this section, we present and discuss published results from other investigators regarding compounds from other medicinal plant sources. The importance of the process and techniques leading to their identification and isolation is highlighted. Attention is drawn to www.intechopen.com Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection 180 some common markers that characterize their discovery. We devote tables to give comprehensive listings and profile of these agents and also discuss other relevant results. Attempt is made to shed adequate light on the therapeutic efficacy to safety profile of promising compounds since the overall relevance of the compounds and their derivatives should depend largely on their efficacy-safety characteristics. Additionally, space is devoted to discuss the proffered or validated mechanistic bases of the observed the anti-viral and disease inhibitory activities of the phytoconstituents and compounds. The importance of structural modifications is equally reflected where applicable to grant a quick and early preview on the more likely positive alteration direction that could possibly select for enhancement of efficacy and cellular compatibility. Lastly, we discuss in the next section the promises and the crucial position occupied by anti-RSV compounds and phyto-constituents harnessed form phytomedicines in the treatment and control of RSV infection and disease.
In conclusion, we comment on the future of RSV infection and disease control; the role that should expectedly be occupied by chemotherapy, especially phytomedicines-derived. In answering the questions of discovering and developing the tomorrow's effective anti-RSV compounds, we make some concluding remarks on some key performance indicators that should characterize the phytocompounds of desirable anti-RSV activity.

Respiratory syncytial virus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which belongs to the Pneumovirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family is the most important cause of viral lower respiratory tract illness (LRI) in infants and children worldwide (Collins et al. 1996;Hall, 1994). Amongst children in the US, up to 125,000 RSV-associated hospitalizations and 500 RSV-associated deaths respectively could occur each year (Langley and Anderson, 2011). RSV was, on average, responsible for 17% of acute respiratory infections in children admitted to hospital in the developing countries (Martins et al. 1998), and studies from Africa have equally reported the influence of malnutrition on the prevalence of RSV (Adegbola et al. 1994;Nwankwo et al. 1994). In Nigeria it is reported that RSV infections occur all year round with a peak during the rainy season (Nwankwo et al. 1994). Infants who are premature (Berkovich, 1964;Cunningham et al. 1991) or have chronic lung disease (Groothuis et al. 1988) or congenital heart disease (MacDonald et al. 1982) are at particular risk for severe RSV disease. Although traditionally regarded as a pediatric pathogen, RSV can also cause life-threatening pulmonary disease in bone marrow transplant recipients (Fouillard et al. 1992) and the elderly (Dowell et al. 1996;Falsey et al. 1992Falsey et al. , 1995Falsey et al. , 2005Falsey and Walsh, 1998). Although the global prevalence of RSV infection especially among infants and young children is on the increase, vaccine development, unfortunately, has been fraught with spectacular failure and with difficult obstacles, and there are only limited therapeutic options for treatment of this disease (Collins et al., 1996;Wright et al., 2000;Kohlmann et al., 2009;Tregoning and Schwarze et al., 2010). Therefore, the search for novel anti-viral inhibitors of RSV has become more intensive.

Phytomedicine and anti-viral agents
Natural products from plants traditionally have provided the pharmaceutical industry with one of its most important sources of lead compounds and up to 40% of modern drugs are derived from natural sources, using either the natural substance or a synthesized version. Currently, over a 100 new products are in clinical development, particularly as anti-cancer www.intechopen.com Anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus Agents from Phytomedicine 181 agents and anti-infectives (Gautam et al., 2007;Harvey, 2008;Jassim and Naji, 2003). This has influenced many of pharmaceutical companies to produce new antimicrobial formulations extracted from plants or herbs. The bioactive molecules occur in plants as secondary metabolites and as defense mechanisms against predation, herbivores, fungal attack, microbial invasion and viral infection. During the past decade, potent agents have become available against viral infections. Therefore, extracts of plants and phytochemicals are getting more important as potential sources for viral inhibitors during the recent decade. Extensive studies have shown that medicinal plants of several parts of the world contain compounds active against viruses that cause human diseases (Kott et al., 1999;Semple et al., 1998;Sindambiwe et al., 1999). Correspondingly, several potent agents against the respiratory virus-RSV have been reported. The aim of this review is to give a comprehensive outlook on the available and emerging promising phyto-constituents effective against RSV and an overview of the reported associated researches done so far. This review encompassed introduction, methodology, outcomes, and overall promises of the discovered putative anti-RSV agents. Furthermore, useful guiding components for future discovery and analysis of promising anti-RSV candidates are equally highlighted.

Plant species possessing anti-respiratory syncytial virus anti-viral activities 2.1 Aglaia species
Aglaia represents the largest genus within the family Meliaceae and contains more than 100 species (Bohnenstengel et al. 1999;Pannell 1992). It is a woody small or medium-sized tree found mostly in Southeast Asia. Extracts or pure compounds from the various species have been shown to display diverse biological activities ranging from anti-proliferation, anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, bactericidal, anthelminthic and anti-viral activity (Bohnenstengel et al. 1999;Lipipun et al. 2003;Perry 1980;Poehland et al. 1987). Although Aglaia species are traditionally used in Southeast Asia and Indo-China for the treatment of various diseases, including ailments related to lower respiratory tract infection and inflammation (Lipipun et al. 2003;Perry 1980), anti-viral screening with Aglaia species has essentially been limited to Herpes Simplex Virus types 1 and 2 (Lipipun et al. 2003;Poehland et al. 1987). Given that RSV infection has a strong bearing with inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, we decided to explore various compounds from these species for possible anti-RSV activities in vitro.
Our investigation (Esimone et al., 2008) involving the isolation and screening of eighteen (18) compounds from various species of Aglaia (A. ignea, A. duppereana, A. cucculata, A. euphoroides and A. tsangii) showed only ignT1 (dammarenolic acid), dupT1 (aglaiol) and cucT1 (niloticin) exhibited selective anti-RSV activity. Time-of-addition studies revealed that both ignT1 and dupT1 inhibit RSV replication at a post-entry stage, with ignT1 being significantly more potent than dupT1. This post-entry inhibition of viral replication could suggest that the inhibitors possibly target the viral replicative enzyme, the RNA polymerase. The compound IgnT1 demonstrated favorable cellular safety when compared to reference plant derived diterpenoid compound (aphidicolin), which was at the concentration used about twice as cytotoxic as ignT1 while demonstrating virtually no anti-RSV activity. Besides, ribavarin which is the only currently approved anti-RSV therapeutic agent exhibits much more toxicity resulting from its effect on cellular RNA and DNA polymerases (Lafeuillade et al. 2001;Prince 2001;Seetharama and Narayana 2005). Moreover, we also observed that methylation of ignT1 resulted in a complete loss of anti-RSV as well as cytotoxicity. This remarkable loss of activity could be related to an interaction of the polar carboxylic group of dammarenolic acid with a potential target molecule of the virus. In the case of the methylated derivative this group is chemically masked and hence the interaction is nullified. However, this hypothesis needs to be further confirmed. Thus anti-RSV compounds from Aglaia species present useful sources of lead compounds against RSV. a Concentration of compound (µg/ml) that inhibits RSV infectivity by 50% b Concentration of compound (µg/ml) that inhibits viability of target cells (HEp2) by 50% c Selectivity index (SI) = TC50/IC50 d Not determined (ND), because observed activity was not dose-dependent Experiments were performed at least thrice Reproduced from Esimone et al., 2008 Table 1. Summary of anti-RSV screening of purified compounds from Aglaia spp

Ramalina farinaceae
Some lichens and lichen-derived substances have been shown to possess anti-viral activities (Cohen et al., 1996;Pengsuparp et al., 1995;Neamati et al., 1997). Ramalina farinacea, a lichen found to Nigeria but also available in other isolated places, has earlier been shown to possess broad anti-retro-viral (including lentiviruses) and anti-adenoviral principles (Esimone et al., 2005). Depsides and depsidones have been previously identified as antimicrobial active phytochemicals from R. farinaceae . In another related screening studies for active constituents against the respiratory syncytial virus, the ethylacetate fraction (ET4) of the plant was effective against RSV (IC 50 = 3.65µg/ml). Mechanistic studies suggested that ET4 targets an entry rather than a post-entry step by inhibiting the RSV fusion protein (Esimone et al., 2009). Further screening exercises and isolation studies are ongoing. a) ignTl (Dammarenolic acid, isolated from the bark of Aglaia ignea) b) dupTl (Aglaiol, isolated from the twigs of Agliaia duppereana) c) cucTl (Niloticin, isolated from the twigs of Aglaia cucculata) Reproduced from Esimone et al., 2008 Fig. 1. Structual formulae of anti-RSV compounds isolated from Aglaia spp.

Ligustrum lucidum
From Ma Shuang- Cheng and coworkers (2001) report is made about activities of six secoiridoid glucoside compounds, lucidumoside C, oleoside dimethylester, neonuezhenide, oleuropein, ligustroside and lucidumoside A, isolated from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae). They were examined in vitro for their activities against four strains of pathogenic viruses, namely herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1), influenza type A virus (Flu A), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3) with Oleuropein being the most potent (IC 50 23.4µg/ml) as well as possessing an overall large and best therapeutic window (TC 50 562.5µg/ml/IC 50 23.4µg/ml) comparable to that of ribavirin, an approved drug for the treatment of RSV infections in human. Oleuropein is known to possess a wide range of biological activities , one of them being immunemodulatory activities Saija et al., 1998;Visioli et al., 1995;1998;). The associated immune effects could enhance its anti-RSV benefit in the biological compartment.

Hydroclathrus clathratus and Lobophora variegata
Products from marine organisms show many interesting activities. Their constituents are more novel than those of many terrestrial plants. Seaweeds have long been recognized as rich and valuable natural resources of bioactive compounds because of their various biological properties (Mayer and Lehmann, 2000). The water-soluble extracts of seaweeds have been shown to exhibit anti-viral activity against a wide spectrum of viruses (Witvrouw and de Clercq, 1997). There are more than 200 species of seaweeds in Hong Kong coastal waters (Ang, 2005), but research on their anti-viral activity is very limited (Zhu et al., 2003). Wang et al. (2008) in their study employed crude water extracts of six species of seaweeds Colpomenia sinuosa (Mertens ex Roth), Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux, Hydroclathrus clathratus, Lobophora variegata (Lamouroux) Womersley ex Oliveira, Padina australis Holmes and Sargassum hemiphyllum (Turner) C. Agardh from Hong Kong coastal waters were examined for their cellular toxicity and anti-viral activities. H. clathratus and L. variegate showed potent anti-RSV activities with EC 50 values of 25µg/ml and 100µg/ml respectively.

Echinacea purpurea
Several viruses associated with upper respiratory diseases have been shown to stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including chemokines, sometimes in the absence of viral cytopathology. Some plant natural products are known to hold potential of reversing the pro-inflammatory effects induced by these viruses, and hence the disease-associated symptoms due to their infections (such as cold and flu symptoms of respiratory viruses). One such candidate agent is the herbal medicine Echinacea purpurea, which has become one of the most popular commercial herbal preparations in North America and Europe (Brevoort, 1998;Barnes et al., 2005). There have been numerous reports of immune modulatory properties in various preparations derived from different parts of several species of Echinacea (Gertsch et al., 2004;Barnes et al., 2005;Sharma et al., 2006Sharma et al., , 2008Wang et al., 2006), although the composition of these preparations is inconsistent, a fact that has made it difficult to propose a mechanism of action (Woelkart and Bauer, 2007). Widely varied anti-viral properties among different Echinacea species and component parts have been reported Vimalanathan et al., 2005). Thus it is important to carry out research on Echinacea preparations that have been standardized and chemically characterized. Sharma et al., 2009 evaluated the ability of a standardized preparation of the popular herbal medicine Echinacea (Echinaforce®), an ethanol extract of herb and roots of E. purpurea, and containing known concentrations of marker compounds) to inhibit the viral induction of various cytokines in a line of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), and in two other human cell lines. They found Echinacea (Echinaforce® to inhibit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced IL-6 and IL-8 (CXCL8) secretion, in addition to several other chemokines. In every case however Echinacea inhibited this induction. The Echinacea preparation also showed substantial virucidal activity against RSV (MIC 2.5µg/ml) indicating the multifunctional potential of the herb. These results support the concept that certain Echinacea preparations can alleviate "cold and flu" symptoms, and possibly other respiratory disorders, by inhibiting viral growth and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum
The medicinal plant Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum Miq. (Meliaceae) is local to Papua New Guinea. The leaves and bark are used as a medicine by the indigenous people for treating rigid limbs, facial distortion in children, lumps under the skin, and other irritations, and as a remedy for sexually transmitted diseases (Weiner, 1984). They are also reportedly used as a remedy for fish poisoning and for convulsions (Cambie and Ash, 1994). A liquid drink made by adding boiling water to the chopped leaves is considered to be a cure for most aches and pains (Parham, 1943) and is used for lung hemorrhage (Donald et al., 1975). Anti-RSV agents from Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum were described by Chen et al., 2007. Both aqueous (water or 1:1 water-2-propanol) and organic (1:1 methylene chloride-2-propanol) extracts of D. gaudichaudianum bark showed inhibitory activity against the RSV strain A2 in CPE inhibition and plaque reduction assays. Using respiratory syncytial viral CPE inhibition and plaque reduction assays to guide bioactivity-directed fractionation, the active fraction was found to be present in the more lipophilic phase, following liquid-liquid partition (chloroform/ aqueous ethanol). Reversed-phase chromatography of the organic extract led to the complete separation and isolation of four structurally related new compounds. The four new compounds, belonging to the tetranortriterpenoid family, named dysoxylins A-D, which were found to exhibit potent anti-viral activity against RSV. NMR spectroscopic analysis of this fraction indicated the presence of complex structures. These new compounds showed significant anti-RSV activity in both the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition and plaque reduction assays (1 to 4 µg/ml).

Caesalpinia minax
Caesalpinia minax Hance, a member of the Caesalpinia genus, is a prickly shrub growing in the tropics and subtropics. The seeds of this plant, which is called 'ku-shi-lian', have long been used as Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of common cold, fever and dysentery (Jiangsu New Medical College, 1977). Jiang et al. (2001) working with the chloroform fraction of the ethanol (95%) extract of the seeds was found to show in vitro anti-RSV activity, and a subsequent bioassay-guided study led to the isolation of a novel rearranged vouacapane diterpenoid possessing a new carbon skeleton, now designated spirocaesalmin. Spirocaesalmin, a novel rearranged vouacapane diterpenoid that exhibits significant activity against respiratory syncytial virus, possesses a new carbon skeleton with a spiro-CD ring system. Spirocaesalmin has been found to exhibit significant activity against respiratory syncytial virus (IC 50 = 19.5 ± 1.5 μg mL, TC 50 = 126.9 ± 2.0 μg ml and SI = 6.5) in cell culture, and the corresponding values for the positive control (ribavirin) are 3.6 ± 0.2 μg ml, 62.5 ± 1.9 μg ml and 17.4, respectively. Thus isolation of spirocaesalmin with a novel spiro-heterocyclic ring skeleton and the first bioassay against RSV in the family of vouacapane diterpenoids provide a potentially useful lead to the search for antiviral drugs.

Lithraea molleoides, Polygonum punctatum and Myrcianthes cisplatensis
The search for anti-viral agents against RSV among the province of Entre Rı´os in Argentina has led to the discovery of plants which are expected to lead to identification of promising hits. These plants include Lithraea molleoides, Polygonum punctatum and Myrcianthes cisplatensis.
The trees of the genus Lithraea Hook. et Arn. (Anacardiaceae) are traditionally known for their irritating effects, especially among woodcutters and carpenters. Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engler called 'a´rbol malo' (evil tree), common name 'chichita', or 'molle de Co´rdoba', produces discomfort, drowsiness, lack of strength, rash and swelling in exposed parts of the body to anyone approaching to the tree. A myth exists about the healing powers of this tree, which also provides good quality timber and has tanning and dyeing bark (Munoz, 1990). Fruits have a volatile oil believed to cause, according to the ancient tradition, very strong and disturbing irritation of the eyes and the skin (Storni, 1994). In the northwest of Argentina the fruits are used to make an alcoholic drink. The infusion of the leaves and fruits is said to be diuretic and stomachic (Cabrera, 1938). A decoction of the twigs is useful for breathing and digestive diseases (Ratera and Ratera, 1980). The tincture and the decoction are a good remedy for cough, bronchitis and phlegm. They are also hemostatic, stomachic, tonic and refreshing (Burgstaller Chiriani, 1974) and are used for arthritis (Martius, 1843).
The genus Polygonum L. is rich in medicinal species in the old as well as the new world. All of them are rich in tannins and some are occasionally used as foods (Lewis and Elvis-Lewis, 1977). Polygonum punctatum Elliot (Polygonaceae) is one of the most widely spread species of the genus in the province of Entre Rı´os, and is found in different habitats. It is considered poisonous to man and ocasionally fatal to livestock (Lewis and Elvis-Lewis, 1977). The acrid juice can cause both internal and external inflammation. It should be used only in professionally-made preparations and with medical supervision. It has astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic and rubefacient properties. A cold extract can be applied to skin problems, scabies, and hemorrhoids and as a gargle for toothache and problems in the larynx. The juice, pure or thinned with water, is effective in drawing pus out of sores (Lust, 1974). Infusion of the whole plant of Polygonum punctatum Elliot var., Aquatile (Martins) Fasset, also called 'erva do bicho' or 'caa-tai', 'ajicillo', is used in traditional medicine by the Toba indians of the northeastern region of Argentina, as a disinfectant and vulnerary in lavages of pimples, wounds and rash and as an antihemorrhoidal (Martı´nez Crovetto, 1964, 1965, 1981. Many species of Argentine Myrtaceae are recognized as astringents and they are often mixed to potentiate their effects. The infusion of the leaves and the wood decoction of Myrcianthes cisplatensis (Camb.) Berg. (Myrtaceae) 'lapachillo', 'guayabo colorado' or 'palo pelado', is claimed to be astringent, tonic, stimulant, febrifuge and diuretic, and especially useful to wash and heal ulcers (Gonza´lez Torres, 1992). It is also a good remedy for lung and bronchial affections (Font Quer, 1988). It is a very common tree in the river-banks of the province of Entre Rı´os, easily recognizable by its clear bark and the strong odor of its leaves,which have contributed for its popularity.
The anti-RSV activities of L. molleoides, P. punctatum and M. cisplatensis extracts were reported by Kott et al., 1998. They reported ED 50 values ranging from 78 to 120µg/ml. Their preliminary work therefore validated the continued traditional utilization of these plants as anti-viral remedies especially against RSV, and concluded on the need to further purify to isolate active compounds for further developments as anti-RSV agents. Ma et al. (2002) described about 44 Chinese herbs commonly used in treatment of RSV disease. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs have long been used as remedies against infectious diseases in China. Traditional medicines in the form of hot water extracts have been used orally for the treatment of various diseases. It is very likely that hot water extracts of some herbs would exhibit direct anti-viral activity in vitro at the concentration used for therapy. In this study Ma and coworkers assayed 44 medicinal herbs, which are currently used for the treatment of respiratory tract infectious diseases in China, to test anti-viral activities against RSV in vitro by cytopathic effect assay. The extracts of Sophora flaescens Ait.

Anti-RSV herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines
and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi with anti-viral properties were further investigated to identify their anti-viral components against RSV.
Aqueous extracts from these traditional Chinese medicines were also studied to detect anti-viral activity against RSV. Of all the 44 herbs tested, 41 showed anti-RSV activities with the following 25 herbs showing the strongest potency (IC 50 = 6.3 to 52.1µg/ml) and also largest selective index (SI= 4.0 to 32.1): Andrographis paniculata, Artemisia capillaries, Bupleurum chinense, Callicarpa nudiflora, Dendranthema morifolium, Forsythia suspensa, Ipomoea cairica, Gardenia jasminoides, Isatis indigotica, Lonicera japonica, Paeonia suffruticosa, Patrinia _illosa, Perilla frutescens, Phragmites communis, Platycodon grandiflorum, Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Prunella _ulgaris, Pueraria lobata, Sarcandra glabra, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Scutellaria baicalensis, Selaginella sinensis, Sophora flaescens and Tinospora capillipes. All of these traditional Chinese medicines extracts were considered active, and of interest for further investigation. Further purification of 2 of the herbs (Sophora flavescens and Scutellaria baicalensis) led to the isolation of potent anti-viral compounds. Sophora flaescens and of Scutellaria baicalensis were further investigated and led to the identification from these two herbs anagyrine, oxymatrine, sophoranol, wogonin, and oroxylin A as the most potent anti-viral compounds against RSV; their IC 50 values ranged from 7.4 to 14.5 µg/ml. Ooi et al., 2010 investigated the inhibitory effect of a novel mannose-binding lectin NTL isolated, purified and cloned from the bulbs of the Chinese daffodil, Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis, against human RSV, and various strains of influenza A (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1) and influenza B viruses. NTL was obtained after FPLC-gel filtration followed by desalting with a PD-10 column, and its purity was analysed by SDS-PAGE. It was determined to have a molecular mass of about 26 kDa by gel filtration and 13 kDa by SDS-PAGE. NTL is suggested to be a mannose-binding homodimer with two identical subunits of about 13 kDa. Molecular cloning revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence of the full-length cDNA encoding NTL contained a mature polypeptide consisting of 105 amino acids and a C-terminal peptide extension beyond the C-terminal amino acids Thr-Gly. NTL could effectively inhibit RSV-induced plaque formation (IC 50 = 2.30 µg/ml). Its cytotoxicity against HEp-2 cells was low (CC 50 = 325.4 µg/ml) and thus it had a high SI value of 141.36.

Narcissus tazetta, Youngia japonica and Flos lonicerae
In another related earlier study, Ooi together with other investigators  reported the anti-RSV activity of the ethanol extract of a biannual medicinal herb, Youngia japonica (commonly known as Oriental hawk's beard). Two potent anti-RSV compounds namely 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, were subsequently purified and chemically characterized from the ethanol extract of Youngia japonica. The two dicaffeoylquinic acids exhibited prominent anti-RSV with an IC 50 of 0.5µg/ml and there was no sign of cytotoxicity up to 100µg/ml concentration.
CJ 4-16-4 is a promising potent inhibitor of RSV isolated from Flos lonicerae using bioassayguided fractionation. The drug inhibits of RSV in Hep-2 cells maintained in tissue culture at a very low concentration (~0.07 μM) with cell toxicity >400 μM (SI > 5880). In a cotton rat model of RSV infection, the drug was able to reduce viral titers by ~1 log at dose 12.5 and 25 mg/kg/day, and by >2 log at 100 mg/kg/day. This antiviral activity was specific as influenza A and B and herpes simplex 1 and 2 viruses were not inhibited (Ojwang et al., 2005). Anemarrhena asphodeloides Broussonin A* timosaponin A-III* Bae et al., 2007;Youn et al., 2011;Kawasaki et al., 1963 Dysoxylum

Potential usefulness of anti-RSV compounds and phyto-constituents harnessed from phytomedicines in the treatment and control of RSV infection and disease
Complementary and alternative medicines have been used effectively by humans over several centuries for treating various diseases and can therefore be effectively employed to target the host response during RSV infection. Currently, no effective vaccine or therapeutic drug is available against RSV. Although ribavirin, a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent, is being marketed under approval, its clinical benefits are small and limited coupled, with the high cost and toxicity associated with it (Kneyber et al. 2000;Lafeuillade et al. 2001;Seetharama and Narayana 2005). New therapies designed to combat moderate to severe RSV infection and disease are clearly needed. Anti-RSV compounds from phytomedicines could fill this gap. Although there have been several reports on natural anti-RSV agents, including some flavans , caffeoylquinic acid (Li et al., 2005), and some alkaloids such as anagyrine, oxymatrine, and sophoranol (Ma et al., 2002). However, more a n t i -R S V d r u g c a n d A number of synthetic organic compounds have also received attention as anti-RSV agents however some are too cytotoxic to develop as clinically useful agents (Golankiewicz et al., 1995). Given the foregoing therefore, the potential usefulness of medicinal plants -either as suitable sources for the development of potent anti-viral anti-RSV agents or as effective tools in alternative medical practice, cannot be in question.
Medicinal plants remain sources of cost-effective and accessible anti-viral remedies for use in developing and developed countries (Chen et al., 2008;Cowan, 1999;De Clercq, 1995;Jassim and Naji, 2003;Vlietinck and Vanden, 1991;Williams, 2001). They also could reduce time to be spent synthesizing new molecules. Moreover, reports of some strains of RSV developing resistance to currently administered therapeutic agents such as Ribavirin further underscore the need for effort for the development of new and more effective anti-viral agents to be undertaken. Finally, the screening of plants as a possible source of anti-viral in the ethnopharmacological approach enhances the probability of identifying new bioactive plant compounds (Vlietinck and Vanden, 1991;Baker et al., 1995). It is therefore hoped that anti-viral compounds from phytomedicines against RSV would greatly serve diverse usefulness in the management of RSV infection and disease.

Conclusion
Historically, plants have provided a source of inspiration for novel drug compounds, as plant derived medicines have made large contributions to human health and well-being. Their role is twofold in the development of new drugs: first, they may become the base for the development of a medicine, a natural blueprint for the development of new drugs, or; second: a phytomedicine to be used for the treatment of disease. There are numerous illustrations of plant derived drugs. It is estimated that today, plant materials are present in, or have provided the models for at least 50% Western drugs (Schuster, 2001). Many commercially proven drugs used in modern medicine were initially used in crude form in traditional or folk healing practices, or for other purposes that suggested potentially useful biological activity. The primary benefits of using plant derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering profound therapeutic benefits and more affordable treatment.
Currently, investigations into the anti-RSV virus activities of numerous plant species are ongoing. A sense of urgency accompanies the search as the pace of species extinction continues. More of these compounds should be subjected to animal and human studies to determine their effectiveness in whole-organism systems, including in particular toxicity studies. It would be advantageous to standardize methods of extraction and in vitro testing so that the search could be more systematic and interpretation of results would be facilitated. Also, alternative mechanisms of infection prevention and treatment should be included in initial activity screenings. Disruption of adhesion is one example of an antiinfection activity not commonly screened for currently. Attention to these issues could usher in a badly needed new era of chemotherapeutic treatment of infection by using plantderived principles.