title: Lychee flower extract inhibits proliferation and viral replication of HSV-1-infected corneal epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) is capable of causing a wide array of human ocular diseases. Herpes simplex virus keratitis (HSK)-induced cytopathogenicity together with the chronic immune-inflammatory reaction can trigger stromal scarring, thinning, and neovascularization which may lead to permanent vision impairment. Lychee flower extract (LFE) is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the mechanism of the Statens Seruminstitut rabbit corneal (SIRC) epithelial cells infected by HSV-1 and examined the antiviral capabilities of LFE.
  
  
  METHODS
  SIRC cells were pretreated with different concentrations of LFE (0.2, 0.1, and 0.05 μg/ml) and then infected with 1 MOI of HSV-1 for 24 h. The cell viability or morphology was evaluated in this study. In addition, the supernatants and cell extracts were collected for Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK), plaque assay, and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that HSV-1-induced cell proliferation is regulated through inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70s6k phosphorylation in response to the LFE. In addition, the LFE enhanced the autophagy protein expression (Beclin-1 and light chain 3, LC3) and decreased the viral titers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed the antiviral capabilities and the protective effects of LFE. Taken together, our data indicate that LFE has potential as an anti-HSK (herpes simplex keratitis) for HSV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology & Rheumatology, Antai Medical Care Corporation Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Samuel Tung-Hsing
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuan-Yen
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Health Diet and Industry Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Deng-Jye
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ya-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jung-Kai
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002452:Cell Count; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D032125:Litchi / Q000737:chemistry*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D038762:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa / Q000378:metabolism; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D038762:Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases