Sheng-Ma-Ge-Gen-Tang inhibited Enterovirus 71 infection in human foreskin fibroblast cell line.
BACKGROUND
Sheng-Ma-Ge-Gen-Tang (SMGGT), a popular prescription of Chinese traditional medicine, has been used to manage measles infection of children for thousands of years. There are evidences to presume a wider spectrum of antiviral activity of SMGGT. However, SMGGT has not been proven to have activity against EV71 infection.


OBJECTIVE
We tested the hypothesis that SMGGT could inhibit cytotoxic effect of EV71.


METHODS
Human foreskin fibroblast cell line was used for viral culture. Cytotoxicity was examined by XTT assay.


RESULTS
SMGGT could inhibit cytopathy induced by EV71 when given before (p<0.0001), in association with (p<0.0001), or after viral infection (p<0.0001). SMGGT was effective (IC(50): 0.21 microg/ml) and safe (SI: more than 24,000). SMGGT could inhibit viral attachment (p<0.0001) and penetration (p<0.0001). EV71 infection could induce cellular interferon production (p<0.0001). However, SMGGT affected neither the virus-induced (p=0.9913), nor the constitutional interferon production (p>0.05). Therefore, SMGGT had direct anti-viral activity not mediated by interferon.


CONCLUSIONS
SMGGT was effective on management of the disease induced by EV71 infection.
Chang
Jung San
JS
Faculty of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
Wang
Kuo Chih
KC
Chiang
Lien Chai
LC
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002460:Cell Line; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D029821:Enterovirus A, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D052816:Foreskin; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D053585:Virus Attachment / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016899:Interferon-beta