Objective: To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine "Dongxia wan" on the expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens in vitro.
Methods: Cell culture and indirect immunoenzyme methods were used.
Results: When Raji and B95-8 cells were cultured with 20-80 microg/'ml of "Dongxia wan", the expression of EBV early antigen (EBV-EA) and EBV capsid antigen (EBV-VCA) induced by croton oil and n-butyric acid and the natural expression of EBV-VCA were all inhibited significantly. The inhibition rates were 19.3% - 49.84%, 34.63% - 45.61% and 21.67% - 47.78%, respectively. When Raji and B95-8 cells were pretreated with "Dongxia wan" the expression of EBV-EA and EBV-VCA were also inhibited obviously.
Conclusions: Chinese medicine "Dongxia wan" can inhibit the expression of EBV antigens in target cells, it may be used to the prevention and treatment of EBV related diseases.