[In vitro inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus with combined ribavirin and an oral preparation of traditional Chinese medicine Hu Fei].
OBJECTIVE
To study the in vitro antiviral effect of ribavirin combined with an oral preparation of traditional Chinese medicine "Hu Fei" (protecting the lung) on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).


METHODS
Cytopathic effects (CEP) of RSV on Hep2 cells were observed after adding different concentrations of ribavirin, Hu Fei and combination of both into the culture medium.


RESULTS
The minimum concentration of ribavirin and Hu Fei for complete inhibition of CPE caused by RSV was 7.80 microg/ml and 5.00 mg/ml, respectively. When the combination of ribavirin and Hu Fei was applied, their minimum concentrations needed for complete inhibition were decreased to 0.98 ?g/ml and 0.63 mg/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Both ribavirin and Hu Fei showed in vitro anti-RSV effect, but the inhibitory effect of combined ribavirin and Hu Fei was more potent than either of the preparation alone.
Liu
Yu-hua
YH
Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China.
Hou
An-cun
AC
Zhao
Gao-chao
GC
Wang
Feng-lian
FL
Wu
Shan-na
SN
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012254:Ribavirin