BioScience Trends. 2009;3(4):124-126.
Anti-SARS coronavirus 3C-like protease effects of Rheum palmatum L. extracts.
Luo WS, Su XJ, Gong SJ, Qin YG, Liu WB, Li J, Yu HP, Xu Q
The present study aims to clarify the inhibitive effect of the compounds from Rheum palmatum L. on the SARS-3CL protease. The SARS-CoV 3CL gene was amplified from RNA of the SARS virus by PCR. The SARS-CoV 3CL protease was purified from a colon bacillus recombinant. Drugs and 3CL protease were incubated together. The inhibition rate and IC50 were calculated based on absorbance. Components from the Rheum palmatum L. had a high level of anti-SARS-CoV 3CL protease activity. The IC50 was 13.76 ± 0.03 μg/mL and the inhibition rate was up to 96%. In conclusion, extracts from Rheum palmatum L. have a high level of inhibitory activity against 3CL protease, suggesting that extracts from Rheum palmatum L. may represent a potential therapeutic for SARS.
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