Anti-HBV activity of the different extracts from Phyllanthus rheedei Wight in cell culture based assay systems

Discovery and mechanistic study of Imperatorin that inhibits HBsAg expression and cccDNA transcription

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health challenge due to its link to severe conditions like HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although current treatments effectively reduce viral levels, they have limited impact on certain HBV elements, namely hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). This highlights the urgent need for innovative pharmaceutical and biological interventions that can disrupt HBsAg production originating from cccDNA. In this study, we identified a natural furanocoumarin compound, Imperatorin, which markedly inhibited the expression of HBsAg from cccDNA, by screening a library of natural compounds derived from Chinese herbal medicines using ELISA assay and qRT-PCR. The pharmacodynamics study of Imperatorin was explored on HBV infected HepG2-NTCP/PHHs and HBV-infected humanized mouse model. Proteome analysis was performed on HBV infected HepG2-NTCP cells following Imperatorin treatment. Molecular docking and bio-layer interferometry (BLI) were used for finding the target of Imperatorin. Our findings demonstrated Imperatorin remarkably reduced the level of HBsAg, HBV RNAs, HBV DNA and transcriptional activity of cccDNA both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Imperatorin effectively restrained the actions of HBV promoters responsible for cccDNA transcription. Mechanistic study revealed that Imperatorin directly binds to ERK and subsequently interfering with the activation of CAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a crucial transcriptional factor for HBV and has been demonstrated to bind to the PreS2/S and X promoter regions of HBV. Importantly, the absence of ERK could nullify the antiviral impact triggered by Imperatorin. Collectively, the natural compound Imperatorin may be an effective candidate agent for inhibiting HBsAg production and cccDNA transcription by impeding the activities of HBV promoters through ERK-CREB axis.

The long and stumble way to find potential active compounds from plants for defeating hepatitis B and C: review

Hepatitis is a liver illness caused by virus such as hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis B and C are considerably more usual and induce more cirrhosis and dead worldwide than hepatitis A. Although drugs that are currently often used in the medication of hepatitis B and C, the finding of recent drug from various resources including herbal has been intensively developed. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to consider the possibility of plant’s compounds as anti-HBV and anti-HCV. From the results of a review of several articles, several plant’s compound have shown effectiveness againts HBV and HCV by in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies. In conclusion, several plant’s active compounds are possibility to be developed as anti-hepatitis B and C.

Anti-hepatitis B activities of Myanmar medicinal plants: a narrative review of current evidence

Hepatitis B is one of the major burdens for health services and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment strategies using nucleos(t)ide analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitors or interferons are targeted for the long-term suppression of hepatitis B DNA. However, functional cure of hepatitis B infection (HBsAg clearance) was difficult to attain with such treatments. Therefore, new treatment strategies or innovative treatments are urgently needed. The new treatments should focus on the potential therapeutic targets such as covalently closed circular DNA which may be important for the HBsAg clearance. Plant based medicines have been used in different traditional medicine practices and these natural products/compounds serve as a good source of information or clues for use in drug discovery and design. Many natural products were found to be effective against hepatitis B virus and some even have better therapeutic activities than currently used compounds. This review summarizes the current evidence of Myanmar medicinal plants in basic and clinical research which shows promising potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of hepatitis B.

Glycopentalone, a novel compound from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa with potent anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa is used in Indian traditional medicine against various liver ailments, including cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Isolation and characterization of the most active anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compound from the alcohol extract of G. pentaphylla.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different chromatographic (HPLC, TLC and column chromatography) and methods like IR, LCMS and NMR were used for the isolation and structural identification of the active anti-HCC compound from G. pentaphylla. Cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing effect of the active compound were assessed in Hep3 B, RAW264.7 and HEK293 cell lines by MTT assay, morphological studies, Hoechst staining and Annexin V FITC assay.

RESULTS

The most active compound was isolated as yellow needle shaped crystals. The structure of the compound was identified by IR, LCMS and NMR methods. The structural details show that the isolated compound is a novel chemical and have structural similarity with chalcone. MTT assay, physiological and FACS analysis proved the anti-HCC efficacy of the isolated compound in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed that the most active anti-HCC compound present in the alcohol extract of G. pentaphylla is a chalcone derivative. This compound showed specific cytotoxicity against Hep3 B with minor cytotoxicity against non HCC cell lines, RAW264.7 and HEK293. The present study, therefore, supports the folklore knowledge for the utility of G. pentaphylla and provides a scientific basis for their traditional usage against liver cancer.