Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), an enveloped DNA virus, plays a key role in varieties of diseases including recurrent cold sores, keratoconjunctivitis, genital herpes and encephalitis in humans.Great efforts have been made in developing more effective and less side-effects anti-herpes simplex virus agents, including traditional Chinese herbal NEEM TOOTHPASTE CINNAMINT medicines.In the present study, we evaluated the antiviral efficacy of Rheum tanguticum nanoparticles against HSV-1 in vitro and in vivo.R.tanguticum nanoparticles could inactivate the HSV-1 virions and block the viral attachment and entry into cells.
Time-of-addition assay indicated that R.tanguticum nanoparticles could interfere with the entire phase of viral replication.Besides, R.tanguticum nanoparticles showed the ability to inhibit the coffee table mRNA expression of HSV-1 immediate early gene ICP4 and early gene ICP8 as well as the expression of viral protein ICP4 and ICP8.Moreover, R.
tanguticum nanoparticles have been proved to protect mice against HSV-1 induced lethality by decreasing the viral load and alleviated pathological changes in brain tissues.In conclusion, we demonstrated that R.tanguticum nanoparticles could inhibit HSV-1 infection through multiple mechanisms.These results suggest that R.tanguticum nanoparticles may have novel roles in the treatment of HSV-1 infection.