Abstract: Objective   To explore the effect of rhizome panacis majoris total saponin on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of human embryonic fibroblast (MRC-5) infected by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and its regulatory effect on miR-216a.   Methods   MRC-5 cells were infected with HCMV to establish a virus infection model. The cells were treated with panacis majoris rhizome total saponin at different concentrations (100, 200, 400 μg/mL). The miR-NC and miR-216a mimics were transfected into HCMV-infected MRC-5 cells. After transfecting anti-miR-NC and anti-miR-216a into HCMV-infected MRC-5 cells, rhizome panacis majoris total saponin was added to the cells. ELISA was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate. qRT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of miR-216a.    Results    Rhizome panacis majoris total saponin could reduce the apoptosis rate and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in MRC-5 cells infected with HCMV (P<0.05), while increase the expression level of miR-216a (P<0.05). Transfection of miR-216a mimics could reduce the rate of apoptosis and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 (P<0.05). Transfection of anti-miR-216a could reduce the effect of rhizome panacis majoris total saponin on the inflammation and apoptosis of MRC-5 cells infected with HCMV.   Conclusions   Rhizome panacis majoris total saponin can inhibit the inflammatory response and apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of miR-216a, thereby reducing the damage of MRC-5 cells infected by HCMV.

Key words: Rhizome panacis majoris total saponin; ,  miR-216a; ,  Human cytomegalovirus; ,  Human embryonic fibroblast; ,  , Apoptosis; ,  , Inflammation