title: Inhibition of HCV 3a core gene through Silymarin and its fractions.
abstract: Hepatitis C is a major health problem affecting 270 million individuals in world including Pakistan. Current treatment regimen, interferon alpha and ribavirin only cure half of patients due to side effects and high cost.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the present study Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) seeds were collected, extracted and analyzed against HCV 3a core gene by transiently transfecting the liver cells with HCV core plasmid. Our results demonstrated that Silymarin (SM) dose dependently inhibit the expression or function of HCV core gene at a non toxic concentration while the GAPDH remained constant. To identify the active ingredient, SM was fractioned by thin layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography and HPLC. Purified fractions were tested for HCV core gene and western blotting results showed that two factions of SM (S1 and S2) inhibit HCV 3a core expression or function in liver cells
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest SM and its fractions (S1 and S2) inhibit HCV core gene of 3a genotype and combination of SM and its fractions with interferon will be a better option to treat HCV infection.
authors: Division of Molecular Medicine, National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. usmancemb@gmail.com
authors: Usman Ali
authors: UA
authors: Ashfaq
authors: Tariq
authors: T
authors: Javed
authors: Sidra
authors: S
authors: Rehman
authors: Zafar
authors: Z
authors: Nawaz
authors: Sheikh
authors: S
authors: Riazuddin
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D020944:Silybum marianum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012838:Silymarin / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin; D014758:Viral Core Proteins