Antiviral Activity of Epigallocatechin Gallate against Coxsackie Virus in vitro

Objective To investigate the antiviral activity of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) against Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3) in vitro.Methods Cell culture technique was used in HEp-2 cells.The inhibition of the virus-induced cytopathic effect(CPE) was scored by light microscope and measured by MTT assay.The antiviral mechanism of EGCG was studied by changing the ways of drug administration.The therapeutic index(TI=TC50/IC50) was utilized as a comprehensive criterion to evaluate the antiviral activity of EGCG.Results EGCG showed inhibitory activity against CVB3 at high concentration when added before viral infection,while displayed significant antiviral activity against CVB3 when added during or after viral infection,with TIs of 8.7 and 15.3,respectively.With the increase of drug dose,the degree of CPE decreased correspondingly,whereas viral inhibitory rate increased.Conclusion EGCG has potent antiviral activity against CVB3 through several mechanisms.