Curcumin inhibits hepatitis B virus infection by down-regulating cccDNA-bound histone acetylation

Figure 5 siRNAs against hepatitis B virus enhance the inhibitory effects of curcumin. HepG2.215 cells were transfected with 20 nmol/L siRNAs or negative control (HC) siRNA and were treated with 20 μmol/L curcumin or dimethyl sulphoxide for the next 2 d. HBsAg in cell culture supernatants and intracellular HBV replicative intermediates were detected by ELISA (A) and Southern blot analysis (B), respectively. All experiments were repeated at least three times; ELISA was performed in duplicate. ^aP < 0.05; ^bP < 0.01. HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HBsAg: HBV surface antigen.