Objective: To investigate the effects of Xin'an granules on expressions of Coxsackievirus B virus 3 (CVB3) mRNA

interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with viral myocarditis (VMC).Method: Totally 60 healthy male BALB/c rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group

ribavirin group (positive drug

0.02 g · kg-1 · d-1) and high

medium and low-dose Xin'an granules (12

6

3 g · kg-1 · d-1) groups

with 10 rats in each group. For the normal group

0.15 mL of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected into rats

while for the other 5 groups

CVB3 Nancy liquid 0.15 mL(1×10-8 TCID50 ·mL -1) was injected. The rats in drug administration groups were given corresponding drugs

ig

while those in the normal group and the model group were given normal saline

ig

for 7 consecutive days. All of the groups were treated continuously for 7 days. The pathological changes in cardiac muscle tissues were observed and scored

CVB3 mRNA expression was detected by Real-time PCR

and TNF-α and IL-6 protein expression were detected by Western blot in cardiac muscle tissues.Result: After 7 days of drug administration

compared to the normal group

in model control group

myocardial cells were disarranged

and showed interstitial edema

a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating and significant pathological changes

and CVB3 mRNA expression and TNF-α and IL-6 protein expressions in cardiac muscle tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the model group

the rats in drug administration groups showed alleviation in cardiac muscle tissue lesions and obviously lower pathological score and CVB3 mRNA expression and TNF-α and IL-6 protein expressions in cardiac muscle tissues (P<0.05).Conclusion: Xin'an granules can markedly down-regulate CVB3 mRNA expression and TNF-α and IL-6 protein expressions in cardiac muscle tissues of rats with viral myocarditis

which is inferred as a prevention and treatment mechanism of viral myocarditis.