Evaluation of the antiviral activity of an aqueous extract from Solidago virgaurea against Herpes simplex virus type 2

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is widely distributed through the human population, infecting more than 500 million people globally [1]. Although typically causing mild diseases this virus may be responsible for severe infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Currently, there is a number of systemic antiviral agents against herpesvirus, the most commonly used being acyclovir and related drugs. However, long term treatments with these drugs may result in the development of resistance, especially in immunocompromised patients, which leads to a continuous search for new and better therapeutic alternatives [2]. According to the World Health Organization plants are the best sources for obtaining a wide variety of drugs [3]. So, in the last decades many pharmacological and chemical studies have focused on medicinal plants to the discovery of new natural antiviral compounds.Financial support: CESAM (UID/AMB/50017), Centro de Química e Bioquimica (UID/MULTI/00612/2013) and FCT/MEC through national funds and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020.N/