[Effect of ampelopsis of Ampelopsis grossedentata on duck hepatitis B virus].
OBJECTIVE
We have evaluated the direct effect of ampelopsis (APS) on duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) replication in ducklings in vivo.


METHODS
One-day-old ducklings were infected with DHBV. After infection for 7 days, the animals were treated with APS at dosages of 70, 150, 300 mg x kg(-1) of body weight via the oral route. The drug was given twice per day for 10 days continuously, and normal saline was used as control. The blood was drawn from the posterior tibial vein of all ducks before treatment (T0), after the medication for 5 (T5), 10 (T10) days and withdrawal of the drug for 3 days (P3). DHBV DNA in duck serum was detected by dot blot.


RESULTS
The duck serum DHBV-DNA levels were reduced in the group of APS (150, 300 mg x kg(-1)) after treated for 5 and 10 days and the levels of DHBV-DNA did not markedly relapse in both groups of APS after withdrawal of the drug for 3 days. We provide the first evidence that APS can efficiently inhibits DHBV replication in ducks in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
APS therefore warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for HBV infections.
Yan
Li
L
Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, Nanning 530001, China.
Zheng
Zuowen
Z
D032421:Ampelopsis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004372:Ducks / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D015611:Hepatitis B Virus, Duck / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal