INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF NATURAL ACTIVE COMPOUNDS AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS PSEUDOVIRUS AND NOVEL DOSAGE FORM FOR USE THEREWITH
Cervical cancer is a common cancer amongst women, accounting for 9% of female cancer death. There are certain risk factors for the development of cervical cancer, in which human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is believed to be a significant cause. This study aimed at evaluating the inhibitory activity of active compounds derived from Chinese herbs against HPV and the underlying mechanism. First, conventional screening platform which uses HeLa cell line in conjunction with MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these natural compounds. Then, a novel screening platform, in which the HeLa cells were infected by HPV 16 pseudoviruses expressing green fluorescent protein, was employed to screen for active compounds capable of inhibiting the HPV 16 pseudovirus infection. Two compounds, baicalein and gallic acid, was found to exhibit significant inhibitory activity against HPV 16 pseudovirus with IC50 values of 8.2 and 8.9 μg/ml, respectively. In addition, these two compounds showed insignificant cytotoxicity on HeLa cell line. Screening experiments using a novel dosage form consisting of a hydrophilic PU foam and aquagel indicated that the aquagel also inhibited the HPV 16 pseudovirus infection. In sum, the natural active compounds and novel dosage form proposed by the present study imply a potential treatment for vaginal administration to prevent HPV infection and the diseases it caused.