Abstract: The objective was to investigate the anti-influenza effect of catechu extract, w hich was tested on murine pneumonia model by influenza virus strain A/FM/1/47(H1 N1). The results showed 12.5 g/L of catechu extract had significant effect on in fluenza virus strain A/FM/1/47(H1N1) (P< 0.05). The survival time in the gro up of mice infected with influenza virus was markedly prolonged and the patholog ic changes of the murine lung was improved significantly at the concentration of 12.5 g/L, compared to the control murine group fed with ribavirin. The fin dings suggest that the catechu extract has a strong anti-influenza effect.

Key words: catechu extract, influenza virus, murine pneumonia model