ABSTRACT
RNA viruses are more unstable and subject to higher mutation rates than DNA viruses. This makes control of the diseases they cause more difficult. Pharmaceutical antiviral drugs, e.g. Relenza, Tamiflu, are quite ineffective against most RNA viruses. In vitro trials with human and animal cells infected with RNA viruses and in vivo animal studies are needed initially, where biofortified Prunella could be compared with the unbiofortified herb plus inorganic Selenium (Se). Viruses comprising RNA cause a range of conditions in humans, from relatively mild to very severe. Laboratory studies found that Coxsackie B3-resistant mice become susceptible under Se and vitamin E deficiency. A plausible explanation for the association of low Se status and severity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease may be reduced effectiveness of cellular systems of antioxidant defence and enhanced transcription of “the AIDS gene” HIV-1 nef.
