Topical formulations containing Trichilia catigua extract as therapeutic options for a genital and an acyclovir-resistant strain of herpes recurrent infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infect, respectively, 67% and 13% of the world population, most commonly causing mild symptoms, such as blisters/ulcers. However, severe conditions such as keratitis, encephalitis, and systemic infections may occur, generally associated with the patient's immunological condition. Although Acyclovir® (ACV) and its analogs are the reference drugs for herpetic infections, the number of ACV-resistant HSV infections is growing exponentially. Therefore, new natural products' bioactive compounds have been studied to develop novel effective anti-herpetics. Trichilia catigua is a plant widely used in traditional medicine, including the treatment of skin diseases and sexual infections. In our study, 16 extracts from the bark of T. catigua, obtained with different solvents and their combinations, were evaluated against HSV-1 AR and HSV-2, respectively, ACV resistance and genital strains in vitro. The extracts with the highest selectivity index were used to prepare new topical anti-herpetic formulations and confirmed in vivo. Two new topical formulations were suggested to treat cutaneous and genital herpetic recurrent lesions. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity were tested using the MTT method. The cytotoxic (CC50) and inhibitory (IC50) concentrations of 50% and the selectivity index (SI: CC50/IC50) were determined. Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 were added to the formulations. Infected BALB/c mice were treated for 8 days, and the severity of the herpetic lesions was analyzed daily. All CEs showed a CC50 value ranging from 143 to 400 µg/mL, except for Tc3 and Tc10. Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 showed the best SI in the 0 h, virucidal, and adsorption inhibition assays. In the in vivo test against HSV-1 AR, the infected animals treated with creams were statistically different from the infected non-treated animals and similar to ACV-treated mice. In HSV-2-infected genitalia, similar effects were found for Tc13 and Tc16 gels. The present study demonstrated that extracts from the bark of T. catigua, traditionally used in folk medicine, are a valuable source of active compounds with anti-herpetic activity. The extracts showed a virucidal mechanism of action and prevented the initial stages of viral replication. The cutaneous and genital infections were strongly inhibited by the Tc12, Tc13, and Tc16 extracts. New topical therapeutic alternatives using Trichilia catigua extracts are suggested for patients infected with ACV-resistant strains of HSV.

Metal Nanoparticles against Viruses: Possibilities to Fight SARS-CoV-2.

In view of the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the research community is focusing on development of diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines to halt or reverse this scenario. Although there are already various vaccines available, adaptive mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome can alter its pathogenic potential and, at the same time, increase the difficulty of developing drugs or immunization by vaccines. Nanotechnology carries a potential to act in all stages in fighting this viral disease, with several possibilities of strategies such as applying nanoparticles directly as antivirals in delivery systems against these viruses or incorporating them in materials, with power of achievement in therapeutics, vaccines and prevention. In this paper, we review and bring insights of recent studies using metal nanocomposites as antivirals against coronavirus and structurally similar viruses.

Antibody Therapy for the Control of Viral Diseases: An Update.

The epidemiological impact of viral diseases, combined with the emergence and reemergence of some viruses, and the difficulties in identifying effective therapies, have encouraged several studies to develop new therapeutic strategies for viral infections. In this context, the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of viral diseases is increasing. One of the strategies of immunotherapy is the use of antibodies, particularly the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and multi-specific antibodies, which bind directly to the viral antigen and bring about activation of the immune system. With current advancements in science and technology, several such antibodies are being tested, and some are already approved and are undergoing clinical trials. The present work aims to review the status of mAb development for the treatment of viral diseases.

The Combination of Dimorphandra gardneriana Galactomannan and Mangiferin Inhibits Herpes Simplex and Poliovirus.

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and poliovirus (PV) are both agents of major concern in the public health system. It has been shown that Dimorphandra gardneriana galactomannans can be used as solubilizer vehicles in the manufacturing of medicine. Mangiferin is the major constituent of Mangifera indica and presents multiple medicinal and biological activities. OBJECTIVE: This study assayed the effect of D. gardneriana galactomannan combined with mangiferin (DgGmM) against HSV-1 and PV-1. METHODS: The DgGmM cytotoxicity was evaluated by the colorimetric MTT method and the antiviral activity by plaque reduction assay, immunofluorescence and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in HEp-2 cells. RESULTS: The DgGmM showed a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) > 2000 µg/mL. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for HSV-1 and PV-1 were, respectively, 287.5 µg/mL and 206.2 µg/mL, with selectivity indexes (SI) > 6.95 for the former and > 9.69 for the latter. The DgGmM time-ofaddition protocol for HSV-1 showed a maximum inhibition at 500 µg/mL, when added concomitantly to infection and at the time 1 h post-infection (pi). While for PV-1, for the same protocol, the greatest inhibition, was also observed concomitantly to infection at 500 µg/mL and at the times 4 h and 8 h pi. The inhibition was also demonstrated by the decrease of fluorescent cells and/or the inhibition of specific viral genome. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the DgGmM inhibited HSV-1 and PV-1 replication, with low cytotoxicity and high selectivity and, therefore, represents a potential candidate for further studies on the control of herpes and polio infections.