Sheng-Ma-Ge-Gen-Tang inhibited Enterovirus 71 infection in human foreskin fibroblast cell line

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSheng-Ma-Ge-Gen-Tang (SMGGT), a popular prescription of Chinese traditional medicine, has been used to manage measles infection of children for thousands of years. There are evidences to presume a wider spectrum of antiviral activity of SMGGT. However, SMGGT has not been proven to have activity against EV71 infection.Aim of the studyWe tested the hypothesis that SMGGT could inhibit cytotoxic effect of EV71.Materials and methodsHuman foreskin fibroblast cell line was used for viral culture. Cytotoxicity was examined by XTT assay.ResultsSMGGT could inhibit cytopathy induced by EV71 when given before (p < 0.0001), in association with (p < 0.0001), or after viral infection (p < 0.0001). SMGGT was effective (IC50: 0.21 μg/ml) and safe (SI: more than 24,000). SMGGT could inhibit viral attachment (p < 0.0001) and penetration (p < 0.0001). EV71 infection could induce cellular interferon production (p < 0.0001). However, SMGGT affected neither the virus-induced (p = 0.9913), nor the constitutional interferon production (p > 0.05). Therefore, SMGGT had direct anti-viral activity not mediated by interferon.ConclusionsSMGGT was effective on management of the disease induced by EV71 infection.