In vitro inhibitory effect of some flavonoids on rotavirus infectivity.

The inhibitory effects of some flavonoids on the infectivity of rotavirus, which predominantly causes sporadic diarrhea in infants and young children, were investigated. Among tested flavonoids, diosmin and hesperidin had the most potent inhibitory activity on rotavirus infection. The fifty percent inhibitory concentration of both compounds was 10 microM. However, their aglycones did not have the inhibitory activity. The rutinose moiety of flavonoids should protect against the invasion of rotavirus into cells.