Anti-herpes simplex virus type-1 activity of Eleusine indica methanol extract

Aims: The present study is aimed at determining the antiviral activity of Eleusine indica whole plant methanol extract. Methodology and results: Whole dried plants were extracted with methanol and the solvent was evaporated using a rotary evaporator. The crude methanol extract was previously shown to have antiviral activity towards herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with selective index (SI = CC50 / EC50) of 12.2. The extract was further studied for the possible mode of action including pretreatment, attachment, penetration or virucidal activity. The observations suggested that E. indica crude methanol extract protects cells from HSV-1 infection, inhibits virus from docking to the surface of the cells and penetrating into the cells, as well as modifying virus through the virucidal effect. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Methanol extract of E. indica is safe with antiviral potential as a prophylactic agent, inhibits viral attachment, penetration and virucidal effect.

In vitro antiviral activity of styrylpyrone derivative-incorporated formulations against Herpes simplex virus type-1

Aims: This study was aimed to evaluate in vitro antiviral activity of topical formulations incorporated with a styrylpyrone derivative (SPD) against Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1). Methodology and results: Two types of SPD-incorporated formulations (ointment and gel) were tested for their antiviral activity against HSV-1 clinical strain using plaque reduction assay on Vero cells. The antiviral activity was determined based on the percentage of plaque reduction occurred between treatment and control (non-treated infected cells). In this study, 10% SPD-gel (SPD = 0.004 mg) and 20% SPD-ointment (SPD = 0.003 mg) showed plaque reduction percentage of 87% and 79% respectively. Further evaluation on the ointment base, gel base (formulation without SPD) demonstrated less than 10% of antiviral activity while pure SPD at 0.0025 mg showed 81% of plaque reduction. These results indicated that the antiviral activity observed in both SPD-incorporated ointment and gel was mainly due to SPD regardless of formulation components. Furthermore, the antiviral activities observed in both SPD-incorporated products were also in agreement with the antiviral activity observed in pure SPD. Conclusion, significance and impact study: SPD-incorporated products retained the antiviral activity and can further be tested in animal model.