title: Anti-herpesvirus activity of an extract of Ribes nigrum L.
abstract: An extract of Ribes nigrum L., known as blackcurrant in Europe and Kurokarin(R) in Japan, has been used as an ingredient in a variety of foods and folk medicine. In this study, the anti-herpesvirus activity of this extract was examined in vitro. The extract inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1 attachment on the cell membrane completely at a 100-fold dilution, as well as the plaque formation of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and varicella-zoster virus by 50% at a 400-fold dilution or lower concentrations. This latter activity, which inhibits virus replication in cells, was due to the inhibition of protein synthesis in infected cells from the early stage of infection. Kurokarin is a possible candidate as a herbal medicine for herpesvirus infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Asahikawa Medical College, 2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan. suzutani@fmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzutani
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogasawara
authors.forename: Itsuro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Masanobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.forename: Yoko M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Knox
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005638:Fruit; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031965:Ribes
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts