Antiphytoviral toxins of Actinidia chinensis root bark (ACRB) extract: laboratory and semi‐field trials

BACKGROUND: Actinidia chinensis Planch, which is distributed only in China, has been used to treat hepatitis and cancer. The objective of the present work was to identify the antiviral active ingredient of A. chinensis root bark (ACRB). RESULTS: Bioassay-guided isolation of the most active fraction, the EtOAc extract, led to the identification of seven compounds, (+)-catechins-7-phytol (1), 5-methoxy-coumarin-7-β-D-glycosidase (2), (+)-catechins (3), fupenzic acid (4), spathodic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 3-oxo-9, 12-diene-30-oic acid (6), and 3-β-(2-carboxy benzoyloxy) oleanolic acid (7). Of these, 5-methoxy-coumarin-7-β-D-glycosidase (2) possessed the highest antiviral activity, followed by spathodic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). Thus, compounds 2 and 5 were the main active constituents, with potential for further development as biological antiviral agents. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ACRB possesses great potential value for development of an antiviral agent to control phytoviral diseases.