Figure 8. Andrographolide shows therapeutic efficacy in DENV-infected ICR suckling mice.
Six-day-old ICR suckling mice were injected with 2.5 × 105 pfu DENV-2 intracerebrally and with andrographolide (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at 1, 3, and 5 dpi. (A) Survival rate, (B) clinical score, and (C) body weight of the mice were daily measured to 6 dpi. Illness symptoms were scored as follows: 0, no symptoms; 1, slight weight loss and ruffled hair; 2, slowing of activity; 3, asthenia and anorexia; 4, paralysis and fatal illness; and 5, death. Next, 0.1 g brain tissue of these mice was incubated in an RPMI medium for viral titration. (D) A DENV titer was determined by performing the plague assay. DENV-infected ICR suckling mice were intraperitoneally injected with andrographolide (10 mg/kg) at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 dpi. (E) Survival rate and (F) body weight of the mice were daily measured to 12 dpi. Mice in the control group were treated with 60 °C heat-inactive DENV for 30 min. Each group included 8–10 mice.