Potential antiviral effects of Terminalis chebula,Sanguisorba officinalis,Rubus coreanus and Rheum palmatum against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV)

The potential antiviral effects against duck hepatitis B virus were investigated using aqueous extracts of Terminalis chebula, Sanguisorba officinalis, Rubus coreanus and Rheum palmatum. Previously, these herbal extracts were shown to inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase activity and to bind hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Antiviral effects of herbal extracts were determined using Peking ducks (Anas domesticus) infected with duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). During a 4-week treatment period with selected plant extracts, serum DHBV DNA levels and DHBV DNA polymerase activity were measured as antiviral indicators. Although all extracts demonstrated antiviral activity against DHBV, Terminalis chebula appeared to exhibit the highest antiviral activity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.