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Fifteen Argentine medicinal plants were tested for their antiviral activity in vitro against herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2), bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 (BVDV-1), influenza virus type A (Inf A) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antiviral activity was evaluated by a reduction in cytopathic effect, plaque-forming units and p24 HIV-1 antigen. The Selective Index of the active extract (SI(extract) = CC50(extract)/EC50(extract)) of Coronopus didymus (SI(extract) = 110.7), Juglans australis (SI(extract) = 8.1) and Lippia alba (SI(extract) = 19.2) against BVDV-1, HSV-1 and influenza A virus, respectively, justify a further analysis. None of the seven plants assayed against HIV-1 displayed any antiviral activity. The results of this study justify the continuing isolation and characterization of the antiviral components present.

Background: Natural products are a relevant source of antiviral drugs. Five medicinal plants used in Argentina have been assayed to detect inhibition of viral growth. Methods: Antiviral activity of the infusions and methanolic extracts of Aristolochia macroura, Celtis spinosa, Plantago major, Schinus areira, Petiveria alliacea and four extracts obtained from the leaves and stems of the last plant were evaluated by the plaque assay. Results:P. alliacea, unlike A. macroura, C. spinosa, P. major and S. areira, inhibited bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) replication. Neither P. alliacea nor the assays of the other plants were active against herpes simplex virus type 1, poliovirus type 1, adenovirus serotype 7 and vesicular stomatitis virus type 1. Four extracts of P. alliacea were assayed to detect anti-BVDV activity. Ethyl acetate (EC₅₀ of 25 µg/ml) and dichloromethane (EC₅₀ of 43 µg/ml) extracts were active; moreover, promising SI (IC₅₀/EC₅₀) values were obtained. Conclusion: BVDV is highly prevalent in the cattle population, there are no antiviral compounds available; additionally, it is a viral model of the hepatitis C virus. For these reasons and in view of the results obtained, the isolation and characterization of the antiviral components present in the P. alliacea extracts is worth carrying out in the future.

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El “Movimiento de Sacerdotes para el Tercer Mundo” (MSTM) se inició en 1967 influenciado por la encíclica Populorum Progressio redactada por el Papa Pablo VI. Dieciocho obispos, de diferentes países del Tercer Mundo, firmaron un documento, conocido luego como “Manifiesto de los 18 Obispos” que interpeló a los sacerdotes argentinos. A partir de allí, surgieron iniciativas que impulsaron la necesidad de una “nueva vida sacerdotal” comprometida con las necesidades del pueblo que tuviera acciones y participación “concreta” en la convulsionada vida política argentina de fines de la década del sesenta. Desde una perspectiva sociológica, nos proponemos como objetivo describir y analizar esa reformulación de la vida sacerdotal en un corpus de documentos oficiales ligados al MSTM. Se analizarán los veintiocho números de la revista Enlace, publicación bimestral editada por el Movimiento, que hizo su aparición en septiembre de 1968 con el objeto de “ser un signo de encuentro y enlace” de los Sacerdotes para el Tercer Mundo y que duró hasta 1973, momento en que el grupo Movimiento dejó de existir.