In Vitro Anti-Hsv1 Activity of Aqueous Extract of Areca Catechu L. Publisher



Zamanian M¹ ; Asgari E² ; Afaridoon S¹ ; Akbarzadeh T^{3, 4} ; Sharifi Z¹ ; Saeedi M^{4, 5}
Source: Iranian Journal of Microbiology Published:2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives: HSV-1 is known as a very contagious virus and the main cause of cold sores or fever blisters. Herein, the aqueous extract of Areca catechu L. was evaluated for its anti-HSV-1 activity, compared to the standard control (acyclovir). Also, the effect of extract on the expression of UL46 and US6 genes that accumulate late in viral infection, was studied. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract was obtained by the maceration of powdered plant in boiling water. Its antiviral activity was evaluated on Vero cells infected with HSV-1 at different times: 2 h pre-infection, simultaneous infection, and 4 h post-infection, using MTT assay. The effect of extract on the expression of genes was investigated with quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The aqueous extract of A. catechu induced the inhibition of infection with the IC value of 110.52 ± 1.36 μg/ml. 50 Also, it reduced the expression of UL46 when it was added 2 h pre-infection at 100 μg/ml. Moreover, reduction of expression of US6 was observed at the same concentration when the extract was used simultaneously with the occurrence of infection and 4 h post-infection. Conclusion: A. catechu can be considered an essential element of natural-based anti-HSV-1 agents. © 2024 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.