TITLE:
Inhibition of Curcumin-Treated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in Vero Cells
AUTHORS:
Daniel J. Flores, Lee H. Lee, Sandra D. Adams
KEYWORDS:
HSV-1, HSV-2, Curcuma Longa, Curcumin, Vero Cells, Adsorption, Antiviral
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.6 No.4,
April
13,
2016
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin-treated Herpes simplex virus-1
(HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) virions in cultured Vero cells. Previous studies have
indicated that curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, has demonstrated
antiviral properties against a variety of viruses. After establishing the maximum non-cytotoxic
concentrations of curcumin on Vero cells, HSV-1 and HSV-2 virions were treated with varying
concentrations of curcumin. The effect on infectivity was determined by antiviral assays, using
WST-1, plaque assays, adsorption and penetration assays. Treating HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses with
curcumin, at a concentration of 30 μM, reduces the production of infectious HSV-1 and HSV-2 virions
in cultured Vero cells by interfering with the adsorption process. These results support the
potential of curcumin to be used as a therapeutic agent to reduce the transmission of HSV-1 and
HSV-2.