[Screening 20 Chinese herbs often used for clearing heat and dissipating toxin with nude mice model of hepatitis C viral infection].
OBJECTIVE
To seek effective drugs for anti-hepatitis C virus by screening 20 Chinese herbs often used for clearing heat and dissipating toxin with nude mice model of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection.


METHODS
After the model mice had been treated with selected drug for 3 months, transmission electron microscope was used to observe whether the HCV-like particles in human fetal hepatocytes (HFH) transplanted into mice spleen still existed, and quantitative RT-PRC technique was used to detect the serum content of HCV-RNA before and after treatment.


RESULTS
(1)HCV-like particles existed in all the model mice after treatment. (2) Serum content of HCV-RNA decreased after treated with Radix Gentianae, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Sophorae tonkinensis, Fructus Gardeniae and Fructus Sophorae flavoscentis, but unchanged after treatment with other drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
All the 20 herbs screened has not effect in directly eradicating HCV, but Radix Gentianae, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Sophorae tonkinensis, Fructus Gardeniae and Fructus Sophorae flavoscentis could significantly inhibit the replication of HCV-RNA.
Tang
Zhi-min
ZM
Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120.
Peng
Meng
M
Zhan
Chun-jiao
CJ
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D030012:Gentiana / Q000737:chemistry; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008517:Phytotherapy; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000737:chemistry; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal