Antiviral or antifungal composition and method

Abstract

Antiviral and antifungal compositions comprise a ferrous salt and a plant extract of pomegranate rind, Viburnum plicatum leaves or flowers, tea leaves or maple leaves in aqueous solution.

1 . An antiviral or antifungal composition comprising an effective concentration of a mixture of a ferrous salt and an extract of a plant selected from pomegranate rind,  Viburnum plicatum  leaves or flowers and maple leaves.  
     
     
         2 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which is an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         3 . A composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the ferrous salt concentration is 0.1 mM to 0.1 M.  
     
     
         4 . A composition as claimed in  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the plant extract is used at a dilution of 1 to 100 times.  
     
     
         5 . A composition as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  4 , wherein the iron salt is ferrous sulphate used at a concentration of 1-20 mM and the plant extract is pomegranate rind extract.  
     
     
         6 . A solid or liquid concentrate which on dilution with water gives a composition according to any one of  claims 2  to  6 .  
     
     
         7 . A method of controlling virus or fungus, which method comprises contacting the virus or fungus with an effective concentration of a ferrous salt and an effective concentration of an extract of a plant selected from pomegranate rind,  Viburnum plicatum  leaves or flowers, tea leaves and maple leaves.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ferrous salt is used as a 0.1 mM to 0.1 M aqueous solution.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  or  claim 8 , wherein the virus or fungus is on a surface and the ferrous slat and the plant extract are applied to the surface.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in any one of  claims 7  to  9 , wherein the virus or fungus is contacted with an aqueous composition comprising a mixture of the ferrous salt and the plant extract.  
     
     
         11 . Use as an antiviral or antifungal agent of a composition containing a mixture of an effective concentration of a ferrous salt and an effective concentration of an extract of a plant selected from pomegranate rind,  Viburnum plicatum  leaves or flowers, tea leaves and maple leaves.