Fig. 1

Dose-dependent cytotoxicity and anti-rhinovirus activity of pleconaril and test items in HeLa Ohio cells. The cytotoxicity and anti-influenza activity of zanamivir (a), N-acetylcystein (b), bromhexine (c), ambroxol (d), thyme extract (e), and pelargonium extract (f) was analyzed in MDCK cells. The percentage of cell viability was used as readout for analyzing the cytotoxic and antiviral effects. Cell viability was evaluated as the percentage of the mean value of optical density resulting from 6 cell controls, which was set 100%. Cytotoxic compounds have the potential to reduce cell viability. Influenza virus A/Hong Kong/68 (HK/68) and influenza virus A/Jena/8178/09 (Jena/8178) were included in the antiviral studies. Replication of both viruses results in a complete cytopathic effect of untreated MDCK cells thereby also reducing cell viability. Effective compound/extract treatment enhances the percentage of cell viability. Means and standard deviations of at least three independent experiments are shown