Screening of Antiviral Activity of Naturally Occurring Substances Against Herpes Simplex Virus

Background. Herpesviruses are among the most common human pathogens that cause a variety of diseases, including herpetic stomatitis, ophthalmic herpes, genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Despite the availability of several effective medicines, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, there is a need for the development of new medications with increased efficacy, reduced toxicity, and the ability to overcome viral resistance. The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate the antiviral activity of naturally occurring compounds against the herpes simplex virus in vitro. Results. Echinacea and hawkweed extracts demonstrated the most pronounced antiviral protection against the herpes simplex virus. Among pure chemical compounds, caffeic acid was found to be the most active against herpes simplex virus type 2. Conclusion. The obtained data demonstrate the potential of plant compounds for the development of new treatments for herpes infections. Among the compounds studied, echinacea and hawkweed extracts are the most promising and can be considered as candidates for the development of natural antiherpetic medications.