Abstract
A polyphenolic compound from the curry spice turmeric, curcumin, is known to show anti-viral activity against the influenza virus, adenovirus, coxsackievirus, and the human immunodeficiency virus. However, it remains to be determined whether curcumin can inhibit the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). In this study, we showed that curcumin decreases HCV gene expression via suppression of the Akt-SREBP-1 activation, not by NF-kappaB pathway. The combination of curcumin and IFNalpha exerted profound inhibitory effects on HCV replication. Collectively, our results indicate that curcumin can suppress HCV replication in vitro and may be potentially useful as novel anti-HCV reagents.
Copyright 2009 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Curcumin / pharmacology*
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Drug Synergism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / drug effects
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Hepacivirus / genetics
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Hepacivirus / growth & development*
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Humans
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Interferon-alpha / pharmacology
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NF-kappa B / genetics
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NF-kappa B / metabolism
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
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RNA Interference
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / genetics
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Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism*
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Transcription Factor RelA / genetics
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Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins / metabolism
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Virus Replication / drug effects*
Substances
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antiviral Agents
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Interferon-alpha
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NF-kappa B
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NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus
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RELA protein, human
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SREBF1 protein, human
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Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
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Transcription Factor RelA
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Viral Nonstructural Proteins
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
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Curcumin