INHIBITION EFFECT OF SHENGMA-GEGEN-TANG ON MEASLES-VIRUS IN VERO CELLS AND HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS

Shengma-Gegen-Tang has long been used against measles virus in human p eripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as in Vero cells. One hundred mu g/ml Shengma-Gegen-Tang in PBMC displays significant anti- measles activity, whereas the same concentration in Vero cells does no t. After eight days of infection, the release of virus is significantl y suppressed by Shengma-Gegen-Tang in the case of PBMC. In addition, S hengma-Gegen-Tang has a selective stimulation to the secretion of cyto kine TNF-alpha in PBMC. Time kinetic analysis indicated that the stimu lation of secretion was rapid and could be detected only 2 hrs followi ng the treatment of the PBMC. It rose to an optimal level in 8-12 hrs. These findings suggest that the magnification of anti-measles virus a ctivity of this agent is lymphocyte dependent and may well be mediated by TNF-alpha.