Anti-human cytomegalovirus activity of constituents from Sasa albo-marginata (Kumazasa in Japan).
BACKGROUND
Effective new anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) agents and regimens need to be developed. We examined the anti-HCMV properties of crude extract (True World Extract of Bambuseae sasa [TWEBS]) and five compounds (p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde [vanillin], p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-hydroxypyridine and 4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyflavone [tricin]), isolated from Sasa albo-marginata, a bamboo known in Japan as Sasa.


METHODS
Among TWEBS and five compounds screened in a plaque reduction assay, four showed anti-HCMV activity in the MRC-5 human embryonic fibroblast cell line. The anti-HCMV mechanisms of the TWEBS was examined by western blot analysis using primary antibody specific for an immediate early (IE) antigen of HCMV, for a structural late antigen of HCMV and for beta-actin.


RESULTS
Treatment of cells with > or = 0.001% of TWEBS inhibited the observable cytopathic effects of HCMV on infected cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that TWEBS decreased the expression of IE antigen and late antigen of HCMV in the infected cells. Next, we examined the anti-HCMV properties of five compounds isolated from TWEBS. In a viral plaque reduction assay, tricin showed dose-dependent inhibitory properties with a 50% effective concentration of 0.17 microg/ml (selective index = 1,205.8).


CONCLUSIONS
The hot water extract (TWEBS) of Sasa albo-marginata, with tricin isolated from it, has anti-HCMV activity in MRC-5 cells. TWEBS and/or tricin are a novel compound with potential anti-HCMV activity. Future studies should evaluate these findings in vivo.
Sakai
Asumi
A
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Watanabe
Kunitomo
K
Koketsu
Mamoru
M
Akuzawa
Kazuhiko
K
Yamada
Rie
R
Li
Zhuan
Z
Sadanari
Hidetaka
H
Matsubara
Keiko
K
Muroyama
Tsugiya
T
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031787:Sasa / Q000737:chemistry; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts