Author(s)

Daniel J. Flores, Lee H. Lee, Sandra D. Adams^*

Department of Biology, Montclair State University, Montclair, USA.

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.

HSV-1, HSV-2, Curcuma Longa , Curcumin, Vero Cells, Adsorption, Antiviral

Flores, D. , Lee, L. and Adams, S. (2016) Inhibition of Curcumin-Treated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 in Vero Cells. Advances in Microbiology, 6, 276-287. doi: 10.4236/aim.2016.64027.