Effects of Rhus Coriaria L. (Sumac) Extract on Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Hbs Ag Secretion

The current therapies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are only effective for a number of patients. Mutant viruses that are resistant to treatment and get created due to the errors in the reverse transcriptase mechanism cause for prolonged treatments. In this regard, recent studies have been focused on new therapeutic approaches especially herbal medications to overcome the problem in resistant patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) aqueous extract on hepatitis B virus replication and HBsAg secretion in HuH-7 cell line after transfection by HBV. Huh-7 cell line was transfected by a plasmid (pCH-9/3091) containing HBV genome using Lipofectamine 2000. The aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L.was prepared and its cytotoxicity on transfected cells was assessed by MTT assay. The inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L.on release of HBsAg as a consequence of HBV replication was measured by ELISA. Our results showed a significant lower concentration of HBsAg after exposure to Rhus coriaria L.extract compared to the untreated control group and positive control group treated with Lamivudine of HBV transfected Huh-7 cell line. This study represents the inhibitory effect of sumac aqueous extract on multiplication of HBV and its antigen secretion.