The Effect of Cumin Seed Extracts against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in Vero Cell Culture

Background: cumin (cuminum cyminum l. [family apiaceae]) seed essential oil is reported to have antiseptic activity. until now the antiviral properties of cumin seed extracts on viruses such as herpes simplex virus-1 (hsv-1) have not been studied. the objective of this study was to investigate the invitro effects of aqueous, methanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of cumin seed on hsv-1 growth in vero cell line. methods: antiviral activity of various concentrations aqueous, hydroalcoholic and methanolic extracts of cumin seed in vero cells were studied using plaque reduction assays. the 50%cytotoxic concentration (cc50), 50% inhibitory concentration (ic50), and therapeutic index of the effective extracts were calculated. results: methanolic extract of cumin seed showed a significantantiviral activity on hsv-1 in vero cell line. its cc50 for vero cells, ic50 and the therapeutic index for hsv-1 were 0.45, 0.18 mg/ml and 2.5, respectively. aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of cumin seeds showed no inhibitory effect on hsv-1.conclusion: the methanolic extract of cumin seed produces anti-hsv-1 effect. probable interference of phenolic compounds with fusion of vero cell membrane and hsv-1 envelope might be the mechanism of such inhibitory effect. further studies are required to ascertain its in vivo antiviral properties and potential toxicity.