title: Enhancement of the anti-herpetic effect of trichosanthin by acyclovir and interferon.
abstract: Trichosanthin (TCS) is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein that has a wide range of pharmacological activities. The present study investigated the effectiveness of TCS on herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The anti-viral activity and toxicity of TCS on Vero cells were measured. Results showed that the ED(50), TD(50) and the therapeutic indices were 38.5, 416.5 and 10.9 microg/ml, respectively. Anti-viral activity of TCS was substantially potentiated when it was used in conjunction with other anti-viral agents. The ED(50) of TCS was reduced 125-fold by acyclovir at a concentration of 0.001 microg/ml, which was practically devoid of significant anti-viral activity. Similarly, the ED(50) of TCS was reduced 100-fold by interferon-alpha2a at a concentration of 100 IU/ml. In conclusion, TCS is effective against HSV-1 and other anti-viral agents such as acyclovir or interferon can potentiate its action substantially.
authors.affiliation: Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, PR China.
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000378:metabolism; D015978:Trichosanthin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015978:Trichosanthin; D007372:Interferons; D000212:Acyclovir