Panduratin A from Boesenbergia rotunda suppresses hepatitis B virus by targeting HNF1α and synergizing with antiviral agents - Research Open Access

Sep 30, 2026

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Boesenbergia rotunda (fingerroot) is widely used in traditional medicine, and its compound panduratin A shows strong antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV). The study clarifies how panduratin A suppresses HBV in HBV-infected human hepatocytes by quantifying viral DNA, secreted HBsAg/HBeAg, and pgRNA, and by testing HBV promoter activity with luciferase assays.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages19

Reading Time48 min

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Introduction

Thongsri etal. Chinese Medicine (2026) 21:10 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01285-w](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01285-w) Chinese Medicine RESEARCH Open Access Panduratin A from Boesenbergia rotunda suppresses hepatitis B virus by targeting HNF1α and synergizing with antiviral agents Piyanoot Thongsri1, Yongyut Pewkliang2, Suparerk Borwornpinyo3,4, Adisak Wongkajornsilp5, Pakatip Ruenraroengsak6,9, Usanarat Anurathapan2,10, Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk7, Suradej Hongeng2,10* and Khanit Sa‑ngiamsuntorn8,9* Abstract Background Boesenbergia rotunda (fingerroot) is widely used in traditional medicine, and its bioactive compound panduratin A has demonstrated potent antiviral properties. However, the mechanistic basis underlying its anti‑hepati‑ tis B virus (HBV) activity remains to be fully elucidated. Methods HBV‑infected human hepatocytes (imHCs) were treated with B. rotunda extract, panduratin A, or pinos‑ trobin. Intracellular HBV DNA, secreted HBsAg and HBeAg, and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) were quantified in dose‑ and time‑dependent experiments. Luciferase reporter assays were used to assess HBV promoter activity. The roles of HNF1α and HNF4α were evaluated by siRNA‑mediated knockdown and ectopic gene expression. Drug interaction studies were performed using the KDM5 inhibitor GS‑5801 and the capsid assembly modulator NVR‑3778. A 3D liver spheroid model was used to validate antiviral effects on HBV DNA and cccDNA. Gene interaction network analysis was conducted to identify central regulatory pathways. Results B. rotunda extract, panduratin A, and pinostrobin significantly suppressed intracellular HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and pgRNA. Panduratin A exhibited the strongest antiviral activity and inhibited preS1, preS2, and core promoter activities. Panduratin A markedly downregulated HNF1α expression, with only modest effects on HNF4α . Knockdown of HNF1α significantly reduced the antiviral efficacy of panduratin A, whereas ectopic HNF1α expression rescued its inhibitory effects. Co‑treatment with GS‑5801 produced synergistic activity, and combination with NVR‑ 3778 yielded additive antiviral effects. In 3D liver spheroids, panduratin A reduced intracellular HBV DNA and cccDNA with minimal cytotoxicity. Network analysis further identified HNF1α as a key regulatory node modulated by pandura‑ tin A. Conclusion Panduratin A is a potent anti‑HBV compound that acts primarily through HNF1α‑dependent suppression of HBV transcription and replication. Its efficacy in combination therapy and in 3D liver models highlights its potential as a promising candidate for future HBV treatment strategies. Keywords Hepatitis B virus, HBV, Boesenbergia rotunda, Fingerroot extract, Panduratin A, Pinostrobin, HNF1α, HNF4α, HBV promoter assay, shRNA knockdown, Drug combinations, Anti‑HBV, Hepatocyte, 3D‑liver spheroid model, imHC *Correspondence: Suradej Hongeng [suradej.hon@mahidol.ac.th](suradej.hon@mahidol.ac.th)[ ](suradej.hon@mahidol.ac.th)Khanit Sa‑ngiamsuntorn [khanit.san@mahidol.ac.th](khanit.san@mahidol.ac.th) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2026. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creativecommon

FAQs

What is the main antiviral target of panduratin A in this study?

Panduratin A primarily suppresses HBV transcription and replication through an HNF1α-dependent mechanism.

How were HBV effects measured experimentally?

The study quantified intracellular HBV DNA, secreted HBsAg and HBeAg, and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), and used luciferase reporter assays to assess HBV promoter activity.

Does panduratin A act alone or in combination with antiviral agents?

Panduratin A showed strong antiviral activity alone, and combination treatment with GS-5801 produced synergistic effects, while pairing with NVR-3778 produced additive antiviral effects.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious