TY - JOUR
T1 - Cryptolepine and Nibima inhibit hepatitis B virus replication
AU - Domfeh, Seth A A.
AU - Narkwa, Patrick W W.
AU - Quaye, Osbourne
AU - Kusi, Kwadwo A A.
AU - Rivera, Odalys
AU - Danaah, Martin M M.
AU - Musah, Baba A A.N.
AU - Awandare, Gordon A A.
AU - Mensah, Kwesi B B.
AU - Mutocheluh, Mohamed
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - The continuous use of interferons (IFNs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to myriad adverse effects. Also, in sub-Saharan Africa where chronic HBV infection is endemic, pegylated IFN-α and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, which are first-line agents in the treatment of chronic HBV infection, are inaccessible due to their associated high cost. Hence, there is a need for other cheaper sources of therapies that are less toxic and readily available. In this study, we investigated the anti-HBV activity of cryptolepine and a cryptolepine-based preparation (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta) locally called Nibima. The anti-HBV activity of cryptolepine was established in human hepatoma cells (HepG2 cells) transfected with pHBV1.3 in the presence of cryptolepine and/or IFN-α. The quantity of HBV-DNA and antigens (HBeAg, HBcAg and HBsAg) secreted into the culture supernatant were assessed by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. To translate our in vitro findings into clinical care, a 49-year-old male patient with a history of chronic HBV infection was administered with Nibima for 6 months in a case study, and HBV load, as well as haematological, kidney and liver function indices, were assessed. Cryptolepine reduced HBV-DNA in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, and the magnitude of the reduction was enhanced by the presence of a low concentration of IFN-α. The levels of HBV core protein, HBsAg and HBeAg were similarly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. After 6 months of Nibima therapy, the HBV load of the patient reduced from 10.4 × 104 IU/mL to 8.6 × 102 IU/mL (about 99% reduction). More so, there were no reported abnormalities in the haematological, liver and kidney function indices within the 6 months of the Nibima therapy. Our results suggest that cryptolepine inhibits HBV-DNA replication, and could be substituted for human IFN-α. Also, a clinical trial of Nibima should be conducted for potential use as an effective and cheaper therapeutic agent for the management of chronic HBV infection in resource-limited countries such as Ghana.
AB - The continuous use of interferons (IFNs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to myriad adverse effects. Also, in sub-Saharan Africa where chronic HBV infection is endemic, pegylated IFN-α and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, which are first-line agents in the treatment of chronic HBV infection, are inaccessible due to their associated high cost. Hence, there is a need for other cheaper sources of therapies that are less toxic and readily available. In this study, we investigated the anti-HBV activity of cryptolepine and a cryptolepine-based preparation (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta) locally called Nibima. The anti-HBV activity of cryptolepine was established in human hepatoma cells (HepG2 cells) transfected with pHBV1.3 in the presence of cryptolepine and/or IFN-α. The quantity of HBV-DNA and antigens (HBeAg, HBcAg and HBsAg) secreted into the culture supernatant were assessed by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. To translate our in vitro findings into clinical care, a 49-year-old male patient with a history of chronic HBV infection was administered with Nibima for 6 months in a case study, and HBV load, as well as haematological, kidney and liver function indices, were assessed. Cryptolepine reduced HBV-DNA in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, and the magnitude of the reduction was enhanced by the presence of a low concentration of IFN-α. The levels of HBV core protein, HBsAg and HBeAg were similarly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. After 6 months of Nibima therapy, the HBV load of the patient reduced from 10.4 × 104 IU/mL to 8.6 × 102 IU/mL (about 99% reduction). More so, there were no reported abnormalities in the haematological, liver and kidney function indices within the 6 months of the Nibima therapy. Our results suggest that cryptolepine inhibits HBV-DNA replication, and could be substituted for human IFN-α. Also, a clinical trial of Nibima should be conducted for potential use as an effective and cheaper therapeutic agent for the management of chronic HBV infection in resource-limited countries such as Ghana.
KW - Antiviral activity
KW - Cryptolepine
KW - Hepatitis B virus
KW - Nibima
KW - Viral load
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123024682&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00942
DO - 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00942
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85123024682
SN - 2468-2276
VL - 13
JO - Scientific African
JF - Scientific African
M1 - e00942
ER -