Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Propolis Component May Help Treat Viral Infection

Inhibition of the Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Cycle by Moronic Acid
Antiviral Res, 2009 Dec 4

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expresses two transcription factors, Rta and Zta, during the immediate-early stage of the lytic cycle to activate the transcription of viral lytic genes.

Our immunoblotting and flow cytometry analyses find that moronic acid, commonly found in Rhus chinensis and Brazilian propolis, at 10muM inhibits the expression of Rta, Zta, and an EBV early protein, EA-D, after lytic induction with sodium butyrate.

This study also finds that moronic acids inhibits the capacity of Rta to activate a promoter that contains an Rta-response element, indicating that moronic acid interferes with the function of Rta…

This study suggests that moronic acid is a new structural lead for anti-EBV drug development.

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