Thymine arabinoside (Ara-T) topical and iontophoretic application for herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 skin infections in hairless mice.
The antiviral agent thymine arabinoside (9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl thymine, Ara-T) was applied topically and by anodal (+) iontophoresis in a NaCl solution to Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) skin infections in hairless mice. The chemotherapeutic efficacy of Ara-T was evaluated employing the parameters of mean lesion score, number of mice with signs of neurological involvement (paralysis), mortality and mean survival time. Anodal (+) iontophoresis of 0.4% Ara-T in a 0.1 M NaCl solution significantly suppressed HSV-1 skin infection, but the infection was not altered by topical application of 3% Ara-T. HSV-2 infection was refractory to both topical and iontophoretic application of Ara-T. This is the first report of the in vivo efficacy of Ara-T for HSV-1 skin infections.
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001087:Arabinonucleosides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007478:Iontophoresis; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D013936:Thymidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001087:Arabinonucleosides; C010032:thymine arabinoside; D013936:Thymidine