ISSN: 0973-7510
E-ISSN: 2581-690X
The different nucleoside analogues such as acyclovir are effective antiviral drugs against herpes simplex virus infections since its introduction. However, with the emergence of acyclovir-resistant, there is a need to develop an alternative antiherpetic drug and natural products could be the potential lead. In this study, the antiviral properties of berberine was evaluated against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, 2) in vitro. HSV-infected Vero cells and cell-free virus suspensions were treated with berberine, and virus yield and infectivity were quantified by direct plaque assay. The results of the present study showed that berberine at 150 µg/ml provided 76.5% inhibition of plaque of HSV-1 and 80% inhibition against HSV-2. These properties suggest that this alkaloid could provide advantage as a topical prophylactic/therapeutic agent for herpes infections.
Berberine, Herpes simplex virus, Antiviral
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