In vitro inhibition of respiratory syncytial virus with combined ribavirin and an oral preparation of traditional Chinese medicine Hu Fei / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the in vitro antiviral effect of ribavirin combined with an oral preparation of traditional Chinese medicine "Hu Fei" (protecting the lung) on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cytopathic effects (CEP) of RSV on Hep2 cells were observed after adding different concentrations of ribavirin, Hu Fei and combination of both into the culture medium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The minimum concentration of ribavirin and Hu Fei for complete inhibition of CPE caused by RSV was 7.80 microg/ml and 5.00 mg/ml, respectively. When the combination of ribavirin and Hu Fei was applied, their minimum concentrations needed for complete inhibition were decreased to 0.98 ?g/ml and 0.63 mg/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both ribavirin and Hu Fei showed in vitro anti-RSV effect, but the inhibitory effect of combined ribavirin and Hu Fei was more potent than either of the preparation alone.</p>