Inhibition of hepatitis B virus production by Boehmeria nivea root extract in HepG2 2.2.15 cells.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effects of Boehmeria nivea (B. nivea) root extract (BNE) by using the HepG2 2.2.15 cell model system.


METHODS
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV DNA were measured by using ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively. Viral DNA replication and RNA expression were determined by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively.


RESULTS
In HepG2 2.2.15 cells, HBeAg (60%, P < 0.01) and particle-associated HBV DNA (> 99%, P < 0.01) secretion into supernatant were significantly inhibited by BNE at a dose of 100 mg/L, whereas the HBsAg was not inhibited. With different doses of BNE, the reduced HBeAg was correlated with the inhibition of HBV DNA. The anti-HBV effect of BNE was not caused by its cytotoxicity to cells or inhibition of viral DNA replication and RNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
BNE could effectively reduce the HBV production and its anti-HBV machinery might differ from the nucleoside analogues.
Huang
Kai-Ling
KL
Division of Research and Development, Development Center for Biotechnology, Xizhi City, Taipei County, Taiwan 221, China.
Lai
Yiu-Kay
YK
Lin
Chih-Chien
CC
Chang
Jia-Ming
JM
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D032402:Boehmeria / Q000737:chemistry*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012367:RNA, Viral