title: Water extract of Pueraria lobata Ohwi has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines.
abstract: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infects all age groups and causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome with a significant mortality rate. To date, only ribavirin has been used to manage HRSV infection. However, ribavirin is expensive with an only modest effect. Furthermore, ribavirin has several side effects, which means it has limited clinical benefit. Pueraria lobata Ohwi (P. lobata) is a common ingredient of Ge-Gen-Tang (Kakkon-to) and Sheng-Ma-Ge-Gen-Tang (Shoma-kakkon-to), which are prescriptions of Chinese traditional medicine proven to have antiviral activity against HRSV. Therefore, it was hypothesized that P. lobata might be effective against HRSV. To find a cost-effective therapeutic modality, both human upper (HEp-2) and lower (A549) respiratory tract cell lines were used to test the hypothesis that P. lobata could inhibit HRSV-induced plaque formation. Results showed that the water extract of P. lobata was effective (p < 0.0001) against HRSV-induced plaque formation. P. lobata was more effective when given prior to viral inoculation (p < 0.0001) by inhibiting viral attachment (p < 0.0001) and penetration (p < 0.0001). However, supplementation with P. lobata could not stimulate interferon secretion after HRSV infection. In conclusion, P. lobata has antiviral activity against HRSV-induced plaque formation in airway mucosa mainly by inhibiting viral attachment and internalization. Further identification of effective constituents could contribute to the prevention of HRSV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzeng-Jih
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chia-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Kuo-Chih
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lien-Chai
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Jih-Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jung-San
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029908:Pueraria / Q000737:chemistry*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016899:Interferon-beta
keywords: Chemoprevention; Ge-Gen-Tang; Human respiratory syncytial virus; Pueraria lobata; Respiratory tract infection