Antiviral efficacy against hepatitis B virus replication of oleuropein isolated from Jasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum

Ethnopharmacological relevanceJasminum officinale L. var. grandiflorum (JOG) is a folk medicine used for the treatment of hepatitis in south of China. Phytochemical studies showed that secoiridoid glycosides are the typical constituents of this plant.Aim of the studyThe present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of oleuropein (Ole) derived from the flowers of JOG on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in HepG2 2.2.15 cell line in vitro and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) replication in ducklings in vivo.Material and methodsThe extracellular hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentrations in cell culture medium were determined by ELISA. DHBV in duck serum was analyzed by dot blot.ResultsOle blocks effectively HBsAg secretion in HepG2 2.2.15 cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 23.2 μg/ml). Ole (80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, twice daily) also reduced viremia in DHBV-infected ducks.ConclusionOle therefore warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for HBV infection.

Graphical abstractOleuropein (80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, twice daily) remarkably reduced DHBV replication in DHBV-infected ducklings in vivo in the absence of any obvious signs of toxicity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide