HD-03ES : A Herbal Medicine Inhibits Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Secretion in Transfected Human Hepatocarcinoma PLCPRF5 Cells

Abstract EN

HD-03/ES is a herbal formulation used for the treatment of hepatitis B.

However, the molecular mechanism involved in the antihepatitis B (HBV) activity of this drug has not been studied using in vitro models.

The effect of HD-03/ES on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion and its gene expression was studied in transfected human hepatocarcinoma PLC/PRF/5 cells.

The anti-HBV activity was tested based on the inhibition of HBsAg secretion into the culture media, as detected by HBsAg-specific antibody-mediated enzyme assay (ELISA) at concentrations ranging from 125 to 1000 μg/mL.

The effect of HD-03/ES on HBsAg gene expression was analyzed using semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR by employing specific primers.

The results showed that HD-03/ES suppressed HBsAg production with an IC50 of 380 μg/mL in PLC/PRF/5 cells for a period of 24 h.

HD-03/ES downregulated HBsAg gene expression in PLC/PRF/5 cells.

In conclusion, HD-03/ES exhibits strong anti-HBV properties by inhibiting the secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen in PLC/PRF/5 cells, and this action is targeted at the transcription level.

Thus, HD-03/ES could be beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis B infections.