Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Activity of Syzygium jambos

Abstract

The hexane, dichloromethane and methanol were extracted from the leaves of Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston (Myrtaceae) and investigated for anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) using plaque reduction assay. Hexane and dichloromethane extracts presented the anti- HSV-1 and HSV-2 activities with more than 50% inhibition of plaque formation at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. The IC₅₀ values of each extract and acyclovir were determined. The cytotoxicity of the extracts to Vero cells was also evaluated. Among all extracts, the dichloromethane extract exhibited the highest activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 with the IC₅₀ value of 75 μg/ml while it showed the cytotoxicity in Vero cells at the CC50 value of 150 μg/ml. The hexane and methanol also showed the activities against HSV-1 and HSV-2 with the IC₅₀ values of 100 and 300 μg/ml, respectively. The cytotoxicity in Vero cells of hexane and methanol was observed with the CC₅₀ values of 150 and 600 μg/ml, respectively.