Investigation of korean plant extracts for potential phytotherapeutic agents against B‐virus hepatitis

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to identify potential phytotherapeutic agents among the aqueous extracts of 151 herbal medicinal plants of Korea. Extracts were assayed for (1) binding potency to hepatitis B-virus surface antigen (HBsAg), and (2) inhibition of serum hepatitis B-virus DNA polymerase activity. Of the 151 aqueous plant extracts tested, 33 demonstrated a positive precipitation reaction with HBsAg' serum, and 15 of these specifically bound HBsAg in serum as well as recombinant HBsAg (Hepavax@). Nine extracts competitively inhibited >8O% of anti-HBsAg antibody binding to Hepavax@ HBsAg. Furthermore, nine of these 15 plant extracts also exhibited greater than 25%-50% inhibition of hepatitis B-virus (HBV) DNA polymerase activity, and also significantly stimulated production of the potent cytokine, tumour necrosis factor (TNF). None of the extract concentrations used altered liver function parameters of normal rats.

Cytotoxic Activity of Crude Extracts fromAstragalus Chrysochlorus(Leguminosae)

“…New scientifi c strategies for the evaluation of natural products with biological activity require the implementation of large-scale screening programs. It has been suggested that aqueous and ethanolic extracts from plants used in allopathic medicine are potential sources of biological active agents (4,21). Furthermore, the selection of crude plant extracts for screening programs has the potential of being more successful in its initial steps than the screening of pure compound isolated from natural products (5,13).…”

Antimicrobial, Anticancer Activities and DNA Fragmentation of Cardiospermum Halicacabum

“…It has been suggested that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from plants used in allopathic medicine are potential source of antiviral, antitumoral and antimicrobial agents (Chung et al, 1995).C. halicacabum possesses various phytochemicals and active biomolecules, which play a major role in the treatment of cancer.…”

Untitled

“…The timber is widely used for general construction and carpentry in many European countries. It has been suggested that aqueous and ethanolic extracts from plants used in allopathic medicine are potential sources of antiviral, anti tumoural and antimicrobial agents 6 .…”

“…The animals were divided into 5 groups (N=6). All the groups were injected with DAL cells (1x10 6 cells/mouse) intraperitoneally except normal group. This was taken as day 0.…”