Popular herb inhibits hep B expression, hope for new drug
CM NEWS - An active ingredient of a popular traditional Chinese medicine huang qin (Scutellaria radix, 黃芩) has been shown to curb expression of two antigens in the human body that are indicative of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. As such, the substance is now being reviewed to see if an anti-HBV drug could be derived.
A recent study by researchers at the department of physiology of China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China tested the effectiveness of wogonin (han huang qin su, 漢黃芩素), the major active constituent of huang qin on its anti-hepatitis B virus functions.
According to the researchers, huang qin has been used for thousands of years, mainly for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including hepatitis. Wogonin has attracted increasing scientific attention in recent years due to its potent biological activities.
In modern medicine, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of wogonin have been widely used in clinical treatment of inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, hyperlipemia, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that wogonin has the potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis based upon its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative activities.
In the present study, however, the researchers were able to add another function to wogonin by demonstrated wogonin’s anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity both in vitro and in vivo.
In the human HBV-transfected liver cell, wogonin effectively suppressed the secretion of two HBV antigens (namely, HBsAg and HBeAg) in blood after 10 days of application. Wogonin also reduced HBV DNA level. The two antigens respectively indicate if a person has been infected by HBV or if a person is infectious.
What is HBsAG? Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a protein antigen produced by HBV. This antigen is the earliest indicator of acute hepatitis B and frequently identifies infected people before symptoms appear. HBsAg disappears from the blood during the recovery period.
What is HBeAg? Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is a viral protein associated with HBV infections. Unlike the surface antigen, the e-antigen is found in the blood only when there are viruses also present. When the virus goes into “hiding,” the e-antigen will no longer be present in the blood. HBeAg is often used as a marker of ability to spread the virus to other people (infectivity).
The researchers concluded that wogonin possesses potent anti-HBV activity. Currently, wogonin is under early development as an anti-HBV drug candidate.
chinese medicineAncient formula Qiongyugao may fight liver cancer
Fu Ling" alt="fu ling, liver cancer, qiongyugao" align="left" border="2" height="215" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="293" />CM NEWS - An ancient Chinese herbal formula composed mainly of ginseng (人參), poria (fu ling, 茯苓) and rehmannia (di huang, 地黃) has been found to be able to slow down the growth of tumour of the liver and inhibit the expression of a special protein that appears to participate in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancers.
The current study about Qiongyugao (瓊玉膏) was carried out by researchers at the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of qiongyugao on the expression of hepatitis B x antigen (HBxAg) in BALB/c-nu mice (picture) into which human hepatic carcinoma cells were transplanted, and to analyze its specific mechanism in prophylaxis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Increasing evidence suggests that the viral contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma involves persistently high levels of the virus-encoded X antigen, or hepatitis B x antigen (HBxAg), in the liver of chronically infected patients. High levels of intrahepatic HBxAg expression directly correlate with the intensity of liver disease. HBxAg transforms cells in vitro, whereas sustained high levels of HBxAg in transgenic mice are associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that HBxAg plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this tumour type.
In the present study, a nude mouse model with the transplantation of human hepatic carcinoma cells was established to observe the preventive and therapeutic effects of Qiongyugao on the body weight and tumour weight of the mice. The expression of HBxAg in tumour and liver tissue wsa detected by immunohistochemical studies.
RESULTS: Compared with model control group, prophylaxis and treatment with Qiongyugao increased the body weight, depressed the tumour weight and inhibited HBxAg expression. The same efficacy was shown in both Qiongyugao prophylaxis group and cyclophosphamide treatment group.
CONCLUSION: Qiongyugao can slow down the growth of tumour and inhibit the expression of HBxAg, which may be an essential mechanism in prophylaxis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
[Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi (細胞與分子免疫學雜誌). 2007 Jan;23(1):56-9.]
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