PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SOPHOCARPINE IN COXSACKIEVIRUS B3 INFECTION IN CULTURED RAT CARDIOMYOCYTES

Objective To observe the anti-CVB3 ( Coxsackievirus B3 ) effect of sophocarpine (SC) extracted from Sophora flavescens , a traditional Chinese herb in vitro. Methods Cardiomyocytes from the neonatal rat were cultured to establish the viral myocarditis model. The cells were divided into four groups: infected group ( infected by CVB3 ), SC treated group ( added SC 100 μg/mL after viral infection ), SC control group ( added SC 100μg/mL only), and normal control group. The cytopathic effect (CPE) and the beating frequency of the myocardial cells were observed and the LDH levels in the supernatant were measured at day 2, 3, and 5. The cultured myocytes were added different concentrations of SC ( 12.5 - 400 μg/mL ) after infection with CVB3, the CPE was observed and the concentrations of LDH were measured and compared at day 2, 3, and 5. Results In the SC treated group ( 100 μg/mL) , the cytopathic effect was lighter and the LDH level was lower than the infected group. SC in a concentration of 12.5 - 300 μg/mL could relieve the CPE and lower the LDH level, while in a higher concentration (400 μg/m) , it exacerbated the CPE caused by the virus, and the LDH levels were higher than the infected cells.Conclusion SC in certain concentration could protect the cultured rat cardiomyocytes from CVB3 infection.