Application of phage-indicator model in evaluation of antiviral drugs in vitro

A novel method which evaluates antiviral drugs in vitro by phage-indicator model was developed. The phage inactivation experiments were carried out with antiviral drugs of Shuanghuanglian (SHL), Ribavirin and Monoammonium Glycyrrizinate (MG). Firstly, the toxicity of three drugs to the indicator (E. coli) was determined to get rid of interference of the model system. The results indicated that SHL and Ribavirin had toxicity to the indicator, which was relative to their doses. The drug act of the three drugs was detected in the model. The data demonstrated that the phage survival was significantly inhibited by SHL and Ribavirin. After the interaction of the drugs and phage for 20 h, the inhibition rate of SHL and Ribavirin to phage survival reached the maximum of 89.69% and 47.50%, respectively, while MG had not any inhibition to phage. Based on these experimental results, evaluation of antiviral drug in vitro by means of the phageindicator model is feasible, practicable, and suitable for screening of antiviral drugs, especially for those from a large number of natural products isolated.