Abstract

The virus infection result in apoptosis of cells included mechanisms to inhibit apoptosis. It seems that both cellular and viral factors are involved depending on types of cells. Edible bird nest (EBN) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that contained various bioactive compounds with health benefits in human. However, not much of scientific investigation has been conducted to confirm apoptotic compound in EBN. Hence, this study to investigate the ability of EBN in reducing apoptosis. EBN was first prepared into water extract, based on the established method, without enzymatic treatment. Cytotoxicity of the EBN extract then was tested by MTT assay on MDCK cells. Later, the influenza A virus (strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1)-infected cells were treated with CC50 of EBN extract. This is followed by using Annexin V-propidium iodide flow cytometry for apoptotic event analysis. Results showed that EBN extracts significantly inhibited cells undergoing through late apoptosis (9.84%) and necrosis (0.94%) compared to infected cells, respectively 31.16% (late) and 16.41% (necrosis) with (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EBN inhibits cells that undergo apoptosis following influenza A virus infection. Further study is required to define the mechanisms of EBN as an anti-apoptotic agent in the context of influenza virus infected cells.

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