Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide disease agent causing chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, there are few HCV drugs such as interferon and ribavirin with serious side effects. The purpose of this study is to find a multi-functional herb to inhibit HCV replication among medicinal herbs. Twenty nine medicinal herb extracts were selected. The functional medicinal herbs were tested for inhibition of HCV replication in HCV genotype 2a producing cell line. The stem and flower of Eupatorium chinensis var.simplicifolium showed high anti-bacterial effects to Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, but not to Escherichia coli. The stem and flower of Oenothera odorata showed high anti-oxidant effects which is similar to those of quercetin and phloroglucinol used as positive controls. The stem of Anethum graveolens and the flower of Celosia cristata, Red was high cholesterol adhesion effect among all extracts. Among the six selected herbs, the flower of Celosia cristata, Red inhibited HCV 2a RNA replication, significantly. This result indicates that the flower of Celosia cristata, Red is one of candidate drugs to treat HCV infection and high cholesterolemia. However, a useful single component from the flower ofCelosia cristata, Red should be isolated and more studied for clinical use.

Key words: Hepatitis C virus, medicinal herb, anti HCV drug, anti-cholesterol effect.