The effect of gramicidin, a topical contraceptive and antimicrobial agent with anti-HIV activity, against herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 in vitro.

Abstract

The effect of an anti-HIV compound, gramicidin, previously used as a topical antibiotic and vaginal contraceptive, on the replication of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and 2 has been examined. Human WI-38 fibroblasts were inoculated with either HSV type in the presence of serial dilutions of gramicidin and reduction in viral yield was measured by ELISA. The 50% inhibitory dose (IC50) of gramicidin against 3 HSV-1 and 4 HSV-2 isolates was equal to 0.3 microgram/ml and was comparable to the efficacy of the anti-HSV agent acyclovir (ACV). The IC50 of gramicidin required to protect WI-38 from cytolytic effect of HSV was 10 micrograms/ml at day 5 postinfection, indicating that at this time point the activity of gramicidin was inferior than that of ACV. Nevertheless, gramicidin suppressed the replication of ACV-resistant thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase HSV mutants at doses effective against ACV-sensitive strains. The results suggest that the antimicrobial and spermostatic agent, gramicidin, has potential against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and for prophylaxis of sex-borne HIV and HSV infections.

• Authors: A S Bourinbaiar, C F Coleman
• Journal: Archives of virology (Arch Virol) Vol. 142 Issue 11 Pg. 2225-35 ( 1997) ISSN: 0304-8608 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 9672588 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Antiviral Agents
• Contraceptive Agents, Female
• Gramicidin

Topics

• Anti-HIV Agents (pharmacology)
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (pharmacology)
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Line
• Contraceptive Agents, Female (pharmacology)
• Gramicidin (pharmacology)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (drug effects, growth & development, physiology)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human (drug effects, growth & development, physiology)
• Humans