A Compound Isolated From a Chinese Herbal Medicine Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Activity

A recent study has identified a novel compound designated SBEL1 which is present in Chinese medicinal herb sourced from southern China and Taiwan as being effective in inhibiting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) lifecycle.1 Indeed, the compound can block HCV activity by as much as 90%. Whilst the ethnobotanical uses of the herb are not thought to include the treatment of hepatitis, it has traditionally been used in the treatment of several other diseases which may be due to viruses. Thus, the compound may also be useful in the treatment of other viral diseases. As yet, the antiviral mechanism of SBEL1 is unknown although early testing indicates that the compound may have a pleuripotent mechanism. Pre-treatment of liver cells with SBEL1 was found to block HCV viral entry. Furthermore, HCV RNA levels were reduced by approximately 80%, indicating that the compound may also block viral replication.