Comparative screening of anti-dengue activity in aqueous and ethanol extracts of mangrove plants from Sabah

Aims: Dengue virus is a global pathogen that lacks an effective vaccine or therapy. Screening medicinal plants for antidengue properties provides a promising avenue to identify potent compounds. Mangroves, known for their resilience in harsh conditions, produce a diverse range of natural products with unique biochemical profiles, which hold potential for anti-dengue treatments. This study aims to evaluate the anti-dengue activity of selected mangrove plant species from Sabah against DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro, utilizing an enzymatic protease assay.Methodology and results: Six mangrove species (Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Xylocarpus granatum) were investigated, with various plant parts subjected to aqueous and ethanol extraction. The results demonstrated significant anti-dengue activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the mangroves against DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro, with IC50 values ranging from 0.95 mu g/mL to 6.24 mu g/mL. Notably, the ethanolic extract of R. apiculata leaves exhibited the highest inhibition, with an IC50 value of 0.95 mu g/mL. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These findings suggest that the ethanolic extracts from R. apiculata leaves hold promise as potential candidates for dengue treatment. This study underscores the importance of natural products as valuable sources for the development of novel anti-dengue treatments, highlighting the need to explore mangroves in the quest for effective therapeutic options.