Triterpenoid Saponins Isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum Inhibit Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Table 3

Synergistic effect of PGSM on IFN-𝛼-, R7227-, and BMS790052-mediated anti-HCV activity.

Combination with	Combination Index*			Effect
	At EC50	At EC75	At EC90
IFN- 𝜶	0.45	0.39	0.34	Synergistic
R7227 (NS3 protease inhibitor )	0.72	0.71	0.70	Synergistic
BMS790052 (NS5A inhibitor)	0.41	0.42	0.44	Synergistic

HCV replicon cells (genotype 1b) were treated in combination of PGSM and IFN-𝛼, R7227, and BMS790052. At 72 h after treatment, anti-HCV activity was determined by qRT-PCR (Taqman). CI values at 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀), 75% effective concentration (EC₇₅), and 90% effective concentration (EC₉₀) were calculated using CalcuSyn software.
*A CI value of 1 indicates additive effect; a CI value of less than 1 indicates synergistic effect; a CI value of greater than 1 indicates an antagonistic effect.