Complete Inhibition of Human Rotavirus Infection by the Aqueous Extract of Scrophularia Variegata

Background: Recently, plant-based medications have been considered promising. Scrophularia has been demonstrated to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects; however, no evidence of its antiviral potency is available. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether the aqueous extract of Scrophularia Variegata has antiviral activity against rotavirus as the leading cause of severe diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis in children. Methods: The neutral red assay was utilized to assess the cytotoxicity of the aqueous extract on the cell line. Cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition, TCID50 (50% cell culture infectious dose), and real-time PCR assays were performed to determine the extract's impact on human rotavirus at non-toxic dilutions. Results: Cell viability was raised following treatment with the aqueous extract at all dilutions. Rotavirus-induced CPEs were considerably reduced when higher dilutions of the aqueous extract were applied to the infected cells. The most substantial inhibitory effect was observed at the highest dilution with no detectable infectious rotavirus titer using the TCID50 assay and no Ct value using the real-time PCR assay. Conclusion: Our findings show that the aqueous extract of Scrophularia Variegata may be a promising candidate for the treatment of rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis.