Sho-saiko-to (Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang) and crude saikosaponins inhibit hepatitis B virus in a stable HBV-producing cell line.
To search for an effective antiviral agent, this study tested the hypothesis that sho-saiko-to (Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang) and crude saikosaponins possess the activity directly against HBV and could affect the expressions of viral antigens, HBeAg and HBsAg, in HepG(2) 2.2.15 cell model. The viral amount and viral antigens in the suspension were estimated by quantitative real time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results showed that sho-saiko-to could inhibit the production of HBV (p < 0.0001), 20 microg/ml sho-saiko-to was efficacious at day-3 of treatment and 10 microg/ml at day-6. The calculated IC(50) and CC(50) of sho-saiko-to were 55.76 microg/ml and 372 microg/ml, respectively, with a selectivity index of 6.67. Crude saponin of B. chinense could also inhibit the replication of HBV (p < 0.0001). Owing to the anti-neoplastic activity of sho-saiko-to and saikosaponin, their calculated CC(50) and selectivity index might be under-estimated. Sho-saiko-to also decreased the expression of HBeAg with the minimal effective concentration of 20 microg/ml. Sho-saiko-to contained too little saikosaponin. Therefore, the anti-HBV activity of sho-saiko-to might not be mediated by saikosaponin. Sho-saiko-to could be supplementary to nucleotide analogues to minimize the recurrence of viremia after its discontinuation.
Chang
Jung-San
JS
Department of Health Care Administration, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC.
Wang
Kuo-Chih
KC
Liu
Hong-Wen
HW
Chen
Mei-Chun
MC
Chiang
Lien-Chai
LC
Lin
Chun-Ching
CC
D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D004279:DNA, Viral; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; C461320:shosaiko-to; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; C025759:saikosaponin D