Abstract
The antiviral activity in the roots of Rubia cordifolia was examined, and three naphthohydroquinones, furomollugin (1), mollugin (2), and rubilactone (3), were isolated from it. Compounds 1 and 2 strongly suppressed the secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), both with IC50 = 2.0 micrograms/mL, in human hepatoma Hep3B cells while having little effect on the viability of the cells. Evaluation of structurally related derivatives of 1 and 2 revealed that a 6-hydroxy group and a pyran or furan ring contribute to this suppressive effect.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antiviral Agents / chemistry
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
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Humans
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Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism*
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Naphthols / chemistry
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Naphthols / isolation & purification*
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Naphthols / pharmacology*
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Pyrans / isolation & purification*
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Pyrans / pharmacology
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Pyrones / chemistry
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Pyrones / isolation & purification*
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Pyrones / pharmacology*
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
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Naphthols
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Pyrans
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Pyrones
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furomollugin
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rubilactone
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rubimaillin