Antiviral Activities of Curcuma Genus against Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major public health problems in the world. Even though the new agents are shown to increase the sustained virology response, however, there are still many people who cannot access the therapy due to the high cost. Moreover, the emergence of resistance and side effects presented the necessity to develop alternative treatment agents for HCV infection. Plants of the genus of curcuma are popular among traditional medicines in the world, including Indonesia. They have been used for many herb remedies and reported to possess many biological activities. Several plants from the curcuma genus were known as treatment agents in liver disease and jaundice. Our current study determines antiviral activities of Curcuma domestica, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, and Curcuma heyneana against HCV and further examines the mechanism of actions. Antiviral activity was performed by in vitro culture cells using Huh 7.5it cells and treated with the mixture of extract and virus JFH1. The effects of extracts in HCV life cycle were determined by mode of action analysis to examine the action of substances in the entry or post entry steps. The results revealed that ethanol extract of C. domestica, C. xanthorrhiza, and C. heyneana showed strong anti-HCV activities with IC 50 values of 1.68 ± 0.05, 4.93 ± 0.42 and 5.49 ± 0.59 µg/mL, respectively without any cytotoxicity effect. Mode of action analysis demonstrated that of C. domestica and C. heyneana exhibit HCV in the entry step, while C. xanthorrhiza inhibit in the entry and post entry steps of HCV life cycle. Docking analysis to predict the interaction of curcumin, the main compound of curcuma genus, revealed a strong interaction between curcumin and 4GAG receptor, a protein involved in the entry step of HCV infection. Moreover, it was also reported to possess good interaction with 4EAW, an HCV NS5B, which plays an important role in HCV replication. These results suggested that C. domestica, C. xanthorrhiza, and C. Heyneana possessed strong inhibition against hepatitis C virus, therefore they may be good candidates for anti-HCV agents.

Polyploidy in the Ginger Family from Thailand

“…amada), show strong cytotoxicity in a leukaemic cell line and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as having antioxidant and haemolysis properties [41]. Dry extracts from rhizomes of C. xanthorrhiza and C. zedoaria have been shown to have anticancer and antiviral properties [42][43][44]. Furthermore, volatile oils extracted from leaves of C. caesia have broad antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial effects in vitro [45,46].…”

Antiviral Activity of Indonesian Medicinal Plants against Hepatitis B Virus

“…[31][32][33] Extracts of C. xanthorrhiza have previously been demonstrated to exhibit anti-hepatitis C virus activity. 34 Our study showed C. xanthorrhiza has marginal inhibitory effect on HBV entry step.…”

Ethno-Medicinal Plants Used for Medication of Jaundice by The Chinese, Dayak, and Malays Ethnic in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…is very familiar among people in Indonesia, especially this rhizome is often used as a spice in cooking and herbal/traditional ingredients. More than that, research results show that kunyit is useful as an appetite enhancer for children 12 , antioxidants and antimicrobial 48 , and anti-hepatitis C. 49 The rhizome of Curcuma domestica Val. is reported to contain the alkaloid, flavonoid, phenol, terpenoid, and glycoside compound groups.…”