Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus (Wild-Type and Drug-Resistant) Properties of Herbal Kerra(TM), KS(TM), and Minoza(TM).

Commercial herbal compounds are a main attractive target to explore for a novel drug for the treatment of HSV. This study investigated the anti-HSV infectivity of extracts derived from the Thai commercial herbals Kerra(TM), KS(TM), and Minoza(TM). Wild-type HSV-1 KOS, HSV-2, and drug-resistant HSV-1 dxpIII were used to investigate any inhibitory effects of these extracts. A plaque formation assay was performed to investigate the effects of all extracts. The viral ICP4, UL30, gD, and gB and cellular IL1β, IL6, STAT3, and NFKB1 expression levels were evaluated. The Kerra(TM), KS(TM), and Minoza(TM) extracts at 50-200 μg/mL significantly inhibited HSV-1 KOS and dxpIII infection in the post-entry step, whereas only Minoza(TM) could not reduce plaque formation of HSV-2. In addition, ICP4, UL30, and gD mRNAs and gB protein were significantly decreased in Kerra(TM)- and KS(TM)-treated cells. Furthermore, IL1B, IL6, STAT3, and NFKB1 expression was upregulated in Kerra(TM)- and KS(TM)-treated cells. Kerra(TM) and KS(TM) could be agents against HSV infection, especially the HSV acyclovir (ACV)-resistant strain. From the docking result and drug-likeness prediction, 2-Methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one, piperine, and sargassopenilline D found in Kerra(TM), KS(TM), and Minoza(TM) show high binding energy closely resembling ACV, and are desirable as drug-like characteristics.