in vitro anti-hsv1 activity of aqueous extract of areca catechu l.

Background and objectives: hsv-1 is known as a very contagious virus and the main cause of cold sores or fever blisters. herein, the aqueous extract of areca catechu l. was evaluated for its anti-hsv-1 activity, compared to the standard control (acyclovir). also, the effect of extract on the expression of ul46 and us6 genes that accumulate late in viral infection, was studied.materials and methods: the aqueous extract was obtained by the maceration of powdered plant in boiling water. its antiviral activity was evaluated on vero cells infected with hsv-1 at different times: 2 h pre-infection, simultaneous infection, and 4 h post-infection, using mtt assay. the effect of extract on the expression of genes was investigated with quantitative real-time pcr.results: the aqueous extract of a. catechu induced the inhibition of infection with the ic50 value of 110.52 ± 1.36 μg/ml. also, it reduced the expression of ul46 when it was added 2 h pre-infection at 100 μg/ml. moreover, reduction of expression of us6 was observed at the same concentration when the extract was used simultaneously with the occurrence of infection and 4 h post-infection.conclusion: a. catechu can be considered an essential element of natural-based anti-hsv-1 agents.