Anti-varicella zoster virus and related anti-inflammation effects of ethanolic extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceElaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus (ES), a plant that grows in Taiwan, Japan, and Jeju Island in Korea. ES root bark, known as “sanduyoung,” has long been used in traditional oriental medicine. ES is also traditionally used to treat anxiety, asthma, arthritis, stress, depression, palpitation, nerve pain, epilepsy, migraine, hypertension, liver diseases, diabetes, and malaria. However, lack of efficacy and mechanism studies on ES. Aim of the studyIn the present study, we aim to investigate the VZV-antiviral efficacy, pain suppression, and the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of ES. Methodsand methods: Inhibition of VZV was evaluated by hollow fiber assays. Analgesic and antipyretic experiments were conducted using ICR mice and SD Rats, and anti-inflammatory experiments were conducted using Raw264.7 cells. ResultsTo evaluate the efficacy of ESE against VZV, we conducted antiviral tests. ESE inhibited cell death by disrupting virus and gene expression related to invasion and replication. In addition, ESE suppressed the pain response as measured by writhing and formalin tests and suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory fever. Further, ESE inhibited the phosphorylation of IκB and NF-κB in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells and expression of COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. ConclusionE. sylvestris shows potential as a source of medicine. ESE had a direct effect on VZV and an inhibitory effect on the pain and inflammation caused by VZV infection.