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Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), which is expressed during viral latency, has oncogenic properties that are associated with several malignant diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine how the ethanolic extract from Polygonum cuspidatum root (PcE) inhibits the functions of latent membrane protein 1. We found that the viability of EBV-positive cells, B95-8 cells decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner after the cells were treated with PcE. Furthermore, PcE inhibited the transcription of the LMP1 gene, BNLF1. This was attributed to the inhibition of the expression of Rta, which are known to activate the transcription of BNLF1. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PcE caused an increase in the number of B95-8 cells that were arrested at the sub-G1 phase and displayed typical features of apoptosis. In other words, PcE promoted B95-8 cells apoptosis due to its ability to inhibit the expression of latent membrane protein 1 and deplete NF-κB in the nucleus. These results indicated that PcE may be a useful therapeutic drug to kill cells that are infected by EBV.

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