Aloe-emodin is an interferon-inducing agent with antiviral activity against Japanese encephalitis virus and enterovirus 71.
In this study, aloe-emodin was identified as a potential interferon (IFN)-inducer by screening compounds from Chinese herbal medicine. Aloe-emodin showed low cytotoxicity to human HL-CZ promonocyte cells and TE-671 medulloblastoma cells and significantly activated interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) and gamma-activated sequence (GAS)-driven cis-reporting systems. Moreover, aloe-emodin upregulated expression of IFN-stimulated genes such as dsRNA-activated protein kinase and 2',5'-oligoisoadenylate synthase. Aloe-emodin resulted in significant activation of nitric oxide production. The antiviral activity of aloe-emodin against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) was evaluated using dose- and time-dependent plaque reduction assays in HL-CZ cells and TE-671 cells. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of aloe-emodin ranged from 0.50microg/mL to 1.51microg/mL for JEV and from 0.14microg/mL to 0.52microg/mL for EV71. Aloe-emodin showed clearly potent virus inhibitory abilities and achieved high therapeutic indices, in particular for HL-CZ cells. Therefore, the study demonstrated dose- and time-dependent actions of aloe-emodin on the inhibition of JEV and EV71 replication via IFN signalling responses.
Lin
Cheng-Wen
CW
Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. cwlin@mail.cmu.edu.tw
Wu
Chia-Fang
CF
Hsiao
Nai-Wan
NW
Chang
Ching-Yao
CY
Li
Shih-Wein
SW
Wan
Lei
L
Lin
Ying-Ju
YJ
Lin
Wei-Yong
WY
D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D004664:Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / Q000187:drug effects*; D029821:Enterovirus A, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D015398:Signal Transduction; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000880:Anthraquinones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; C518327:aloe emodin