title: Antiviral effects of blackberry extract against herpes simplex virus type 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate antiviral properties of blackberry extract against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  HSV-infected oral epithelial (OKF6) cells and cell-free virus suspensions were treated with blackberry extract (2.24-1,400 μg/mL), and virus yield and infectivity were quantified by direct plaque assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blackberry extract ≥56 μg/mL inhibited HSV-1 replication in oral epithelial cells by >99% (P < .005). Concentrations ≥280 μg/mL were antiviral when the extract was added after virus adsorption and entry. Exposure of cell-free virus to ≥280 μg/mL blackberry extract for 15 minutes at room temperature was virucidal (P = .0002). The virucidal effects were not due to pH changes at concentrations up to 1,500 μg/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blackberry extract inhibited the early stages of HSV-1 replication and had potent virucidal activity. These properties suggest that this natural fruit extract could provide advantage as a topical prophylactic/therapeutic agent for HSV infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Practice, Center for Oral Health Research, College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Danaher
authors.forename: Chunmei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mumper
authors.forename: Craig S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D005638:Fruit; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027824:Rosaceae; D014709:Vero Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts