title: Effect of resveratrol on herpes simplex virus vaginal infection in the mouse.
abstract: Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural component of certain foods, such as grapes, that, when topically applied, has been shown to limit HSV-1 lesion formation in the skin of mice [Antiviral Res. 61:19-26, 2004]. To determine if it is active on genital HSV infection, the vagina of mice were infected with HSV-2 or HSV-1 and treated with a cream formulation of resveratrol. Mice were evaluated daily for extravaginal disease and vaginal swabs were taken regularly and assayed for infectious virus. Initial studies demonstrated that 19% resveratrol cream administered intravaginally five times a day for 5 days beginning 1h after infection significantly reduced HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 of infection and prevented extravaginal disease when compared to animals treated with placebo. When resveratrol was tested at a concentration of 6.25% and 12.5% administered five times a day, 6.25% limited virus replication only on day 1 and delayed development of extravaginal disease by 1 day. However, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication beginning on day 1 and abolished extravaginal disease. If the number of applications per day was reduced to three for 5 days, 12.5% resveratrol inhibited HSV-2 replication only on day 1, while 19% resveratrol inhibited it throughout the 9-day assay period. When the animals with three treatments per day were examined for extravaginal disease, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol was ineffective when compared to placebo, while animals treated with 19% resveratrol did not exhibit extravaginal disease. When treatment was delayed 6h, 12.5% resveratrol did not inhibit HSV-2 replication or extravaginal lesion formation, but 19% resveratrol did. When resveratrol was used to treat vaginal HSV-1 infection, it was found that 12.5% resveratrol did not limit replication or prevent extravaginal lesion formation. In contrast, 19% resveratrol did significantly limit vaginal HSV-1 replication and reduced extravaginal lesion formation, but the latter was not significant. Mortality rates in placebo-treated animals was 37%, 6.25% resveratrol-treated animals was 40%, 12.5% resveratrol-treated animals was 24%, and 19% resveratrol-treated animals was 3%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that resveratrol cream inhibits or reduces HSV replication in the vagina of mice and limits extravaginal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA. jjd@neoucom.edu
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Docherty
authors.forename: Ming Ming
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hah
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: Seth A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Faith
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Booth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010919:Placebos; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010919:Placebos; D013267:Stilbenes; D000077185:Resveratrol