• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1979-1985
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• 2016

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine has been highly appreciated as a supportive regimen for classical treatment strategies. Here we offer a nutrition-based adjuvant therapy for liver fibrosis, a major risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of the study: To evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of Jerusalem artichoke tubers (JAT) in combination with interferon and ribavirin. Materials and Methods: Twelve groups of rats were administered JAT, interferon and ribavirin either separately or in combination from day one of $CCL_4$ administration until the end of the study. Animals were killed after 8 weeks of $CCL_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Results: Hepatocytes from rats treated with triple combination of interferon, ribavirin, and JAT showed more less normal architecture compared to $CCL_4$-treated rats. We also detected significantly higher hepatic protein expression levels of p53, BAX and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the $CCL_4$-intoxicated group compared to normal controls, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting analyses. Addition of JAT as a supportive regimen improved response to ribavirin and interferon and effectively participated in retaining normal histopathological and biochemical criteria and significantly lowered protein expression of p53, BAX, and TGF-${\beta}$. Conclusions: We suggest that addition of JAT as a supportive r egimen to interferon and ribavirin effectively potentiates their anti-fibrotic effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1037-1040
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• 2015

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of liver, caused by a small enveloped, positive-single stranded RNA virus, called the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV belongs to the Flaviviridae family and has 6 genotypes and more than 100 subtypes. It is estimated that 185 million people are infected with HCV worldwide and 5% of these are in Pakistan. The study was designed to evaluate different genotypes of HCV circulating in District Mardan and to know about the behavior of these genotypes to different anti-viral regimes. In this study 3,800 patients were exposed to interferon alfa-2a plus Ribavirin treatment for 6-months and subjected to real-time PCR to check the viral response. Among these 3,677 (97%) patients showed no detectable HCV RNA while 123 (3%) patients (non-responders) remained positive for HCV RNA. Genotypes of their analyzed showed that most of them belonged to the 3a genotype. Non-responders (123) and relapsed (5) patients were subjected to PEG-interferon and Ribavirin therapy for next 6 months, which resulted into elimination of HCV RNA from 110 patients. The genotypes of the persisting resistant samples to anti-viral treatment were 3b, 2a, 1a and 1b. Furthermore, viral RNA from 6 patients remained un-typed while 4 patients showed mixed infections. HCV was found more resistant to antiviral therapy in females as compared to mals. The age group 36-45 in both females and males was found most affected by infection. In general 3a is the most prevalent genotype circulating in district Mardan and the best anti-viral therapy is PEG-interferon plus Ribavirin but it is common practice that due to the high cost patients receive interferon alfa-2a plus Ribavirin with consequent resistance in 3% patients given this treatment regime.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2011

The combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the mainstay of treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. Anti-viral therapy is commonly associated with side effects such as headache, fever, myalgia, and arthralgia. However, anti-viral therapy can continue because these side effects are mostly mild and can be improved with supportive management. Anti-viral therapy should be stopped promptly if serious side effects, such as interstitial pneumonitis or hemolytic anemia occur, although those serious side effects are rare. There were a few case reports of interferon-related interstitial pneumonitis worldwide. In Korea, one atypical case report of interstitial pneumonitis has been reported, which followed the combination therapy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C. We present a case of interstitial pneumonitis and pancytopenia following the combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.116-121
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• 2004

To observe the intervening effect of resveratrol on coxsackie virus B3m-induced myocarditis in Balb/c mice and explore the mechanism of intervening effect. Using an animal model of viral myocarditis induced by coxsackie virus B3m (CVB3m), with Ribavirin and Astragalan as comparison, to examine the changes of general condition, mortality, the weights of heart, liver and spleen, serum MDA and NO levels, and cardiac histology in Balb/c mice. By comparison with Ribavirin and Astragalan, it was found that in the mice model of viral myocarditis induced by coxsackie virus B3m resveratrol significantly improved the changes of general condition, mortality, the weights of heart, liver and spleen, serum MDA and NO levels, and cardiac histology. It suggested that resveratrol may have some chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects in the treatment of viral myocarditis.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.952-959
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• 2011

Novel phosphorylated derivatives of ribavirin 5-16 were synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophenyl phosphorodichloridate with various amino acid esters in the presence of triethylamine in dry tetrahydrofuran through the intermediates 3. On further reaction of 3 with ribavirin in THF and pyridine in the presence of TEA afforded the title compounds 5-16. Their structures were characterized by IR, $^1H$, $^{13}C$, $^{31}P$ NMR and mass spectral analyses. All the title compounds were found to exhibit potent in vitro anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2010

In vitro elimination of Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) from infected sweet potato is difficult due to low number of virus-free plants obtained from meristem tip culture and long growth period required for the virus detection. In this study, efficient production of the SPLCV-free sweet potato by in vitro therapy coupled with a PCR assay for virus detection was investigated. Infected shoots cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium were treated at three different temperatures for 7 weeks followed by meristem tip culture on the medium with or without ribavirin at 50 mg/L. The regenerated plantlets were tested for virus infection by a PCR assay. The results showed that the both heat- and cold-treatments, and addition of the ribavirin did not have significant effect on efficiency of the virus elimination. The meristem size, however, greatly affected the survival rate. Meristems sized over 0.4 mm survived better than smaller ones (0.2-0.3 mm). The PCR assay was approved to be a rapid, sensitive and reliable for the SPLCV detection in regenerated plantlets. Therefore, combination of cultivating meristem tips sized 0.4-0.5 mm on the medium at $22^{\circ}C$ without ribavirin and detection of SPLCV in the regenerated plantlets by the PCR assay was an efficient system for the SPLCV elimination from infected sweet potato.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.788-797
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• 2018

In many countries, vaccines are used for the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, because there is no protection against FMD immediately after vaccination, research and development on antiviral agents is being conducted to induce protection until immunological competence is produced. This study tested whether well-known chemicals used as RNA virus treatment agents had inhibitory effects on FMD viruses (FMDVs) and demonstrated that ribavirin showed antiviral effects against FMDV in vitro/in vivo. In addition, it was observed that combining the administration of the antiviral agents orally and complementary therapy with vaccines synergistically enhanced antiviral activity and preserved the survival rate and body weight in the experimental animals. Antiviral agents mixed with an adjuvant were inoculated intramuscularly along with the vaccines, thereby inhibiting virus replication after injection and verifying that it was possible to induce early protection against viral infection prior to immunity being achieved through the vaccine. Finally, pigs treated with antiviral agents and vaccines showed no clinical signs and had low virus excretion. Based on these results, it is expected that this combined approach could be a therapeutic and preventive treatment for early protection against FMD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2407-2410
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• 2016

Background: Response to antiviral therapy has been linked to different genotypes and this impacts on clinical management. Data on general responses to standard interferon (IFN) against HCV infection exists but little is known regarding HCV genotype specific responses. Purpose: Therefore, we attempted to determine genotype specific responses of chronic HCV patients, having different HCV genotypes, to standard IFN and ribavirin combination therapy administered for a period of six months in Kybher Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Materials and Methods: HCV genotype was determined for all serum samples. Each patient received standard IFN combination therapy with ribavirin administered at dose of 3 MIU three times a week and 800-1200 mg/day, respectively, for a period of six months. After completion of this therapy, PCR was performed for all course completed subjects. Results: Out of total 51 selected patients the most abundant genotypes were 3a (49.0%) and 1a (21.6%) followed by 3b (9.8%), 1b (7.84%), 2a (7.84%) and untypable (3.94%). Moast responsive genotypes were 2a followed by 3a, with end of treatment responses of 77.7%, and 72.2%. Responses for 3b, 1b and untypable were 66.7%, 33.3% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions: IFN response is efficient in case of 2a and 3a genotypes while in case of untypable genotypes, further categorization is required to know about genomic sequences and to adopt some new regimes against these genotypes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2485-2490
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• 2016

The liver is one of the most common sites of cancer in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominating. HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death overall. Hepatitis C is a major risk factor and HCV is a rapid spreading virus which has become a problem globally, including in Pakistan. Interferon alpha therapy is used against HCV disease to regulate cell reproduction and to boost the immune system. In minute amounts interferon alpha is produced naturally by the immune system in HCV patients in response to hepatitis C virus and binds to receptors in the target cells and starts transcription of 20-30 genes due to which it develops an antiviral influence. Interferon is also administered artificially to overcome HCV disease and remove the biological effect of the virus from the infected site. The use of interferon or Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin treatment is also associated with adverse effects on body. For the current study, a convenient sample of 156 HCV positive patients of both males and females were taken. To collect blood CP and ALT, a reduction of level data and other important information were collected from the patients at regular intervals. Findings were 11.4 % in the red blood cells (RBC), 9.64 % in the total leukocyte count (WBC), 8.4 % in the hemoglobin levels (HB), 30.3 % in the platelet (Plt) count in both sexes. There was significant reduction in ALT levels due to Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Hence strict haemotological monitoring of blood CP and ALT levels is necessary at regular intervals to reduce severe side effects which may lead to morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1115-1122
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• 2021

Rotavirus (RV), as the main cause of diarrhea in children under 5 years, contributes to various childhood diseases. Valeriana jatamansi Jones is a traditional Chinese herb and possesses antiviral effects. In this study we investigated the potential mechanisms of V. jatamansi Jones in RV-induced diarrhea. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and the diarrhea mice model was constructed using SA11 infection. Mice were administered V. jatamansi Jones and ribavirin. Diarrhea score was used to evaluate the treatment effect. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the level of cytokines. Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR were used to determine protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to detect the pathological change of the small intestine. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was conducted to determine the apoptosis rate. The results showed V. jatamansi Jones promoted MA104 proliferation. V. jatamansi Jones downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in protein level, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. Moreover, V. jatamansi Jones combined with ribavirin regulated interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon γ, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and IL-10, and suppressed secretory immunoglobulin A secretion to remove viruses and inhibit dehydration. V. jatamansi Jones + ribavirin facilitated the apoptosis of small intestine cells. In conclusion, V. jatamansi Jones may inhibit RV-induced diarrhea through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and could therefore be a potential therapy for diarrhea.