BACKGROUND: Emodin (1, 3, 8-trihvdroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is derived from herbal medicines and proved to have a strong antimicrobial activity. However, its anti-virus effects are less known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of emodin, interferon alpha (IFNalpha), and lamivudine (3TC) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro. MATERIAL/METHODS: The human hepatoma G2.2.15 cell line stably expresses hepatitis B virus particles in culture. The cells were exposed to different concentrations of emodin, IFNa, and lamivudine triphosphate, respectively. MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the drugs and real-time PCR was applied to quantify extracellular HBV DNA. HIBsAg and HBeAg were assessed by enzyme-linked immurnosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The results showed that exposure of HepG2.2.15 cells to emodin resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of HBV DNA replication and HBsAg secretion. After exposed to three different concentrations of emodin for 3, 6, and 9 days, the inhibition rates of extracellular HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg of each concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After 9 days of treatment, the inhibition rates of extracellular HBV DNA of the different concentrations differed greatly (P < 0.001). IFNalpha and 3TC had similar inhibition results to HBV DNA replication to those previously found. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mnodin may prove to be a new modality to treat hepatitis B infection.

Keywords: Antiviral Agents - pharmacology, Biological Assay, Cytidine Triphosphate - pharmacology, Dideoxynucleotides, Emodin - pharmacology, Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology, Hepatitis B Antigens - metabolism, Hepatitis B virus - drug effects, Interferon-alpha - pharmacology, Lamivudine - pharmacology, Tumor Cells, Cultured, Virus Replication - drug effects