Ethanol extract of Polygonum cuspidatum inhibits hepatitis B virus in a stable HBV-producing cell line.
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Asia and its consequences are among the major public health problems in the world. Unfortunately, the therapeutic efficacies of present strategies are still unsatisfactory with a major concern about viral mutation. In search of effective antiviral agent, we examined the efficacy of extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (P. cuspidatum) against HBV in HepG2 2.2.15 cells by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The expressions of viral antigens, HBeAg and HBsAg, were also determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The ethanol extract of P. cuspidatum could inhibit dose-dependently the production of HBV (p<0.0001) with an effective minimal dosage of 10 microg/ml. The water extract of P. cuspidatum might also inhibit the production of HBV at a higher dosage. The expression of HBsAg was significantly increased by both ethanol extract and water extract of P. cuspidatum dose-dependently (p<0.0001) and time-dependently (p<0.0001). Higher dose of water extract of P. cuspidatum (30 microg/ml) could inhibit the expression of HBeAg (p<0.05). The extract of P. cuspidatum might contain compounds that would contribute to the control of HBV infection in the future. However, its promoting effect on the expression of HBsAg and its cytotoxicity should be monitored. Further purification of the active compounds, identification and modification of their structures to improve the efficacy and decrease the cytotoxicity are required.
Chang
Jung-San
JS
Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan First Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
Liu
Hong-Wen
HW
Wang
Kuo-Chih
KC
Chen
Mei-Chun
MC
Chiang
Lien-Chai
LC
Hua
Yi-Cheng
YC
Lin
Chun-Ching
CC
D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D045468:Fallopia japonica / Q000737:chemistry*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol