We tested in vivo anti-herpetic effect of castalagin, an ellagitannin compound, extracted from pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). Previous investigations found that castalagin possesses a strong inhibitory effect in vitro against HSV-1/2 equal to acyclovir (ACV). It is also effective against ACV-resistant mutants and shows a synergistic effect with ACV. We study castalagin's activity towards HSV-1 infection in newborn mice. Acute toxicity determination in mice showed LD50 value of 295 mg/kg. Prolonged toxicity was also constructed. Castalagin manifested a marked activity against HSV-1 (LD90/0.02 ml) administered in 7-day course at 0.02 ml s.c. doses of 7.5 or 10 mg/kg (PI 57-58%). ACV course demonstrated a marked activity at 20 mg/kg. The selectivity ratio LD50/ED50 (295/7.5) could be accepted as ≥ 33.
Keywords: Herpes simplex virus type 1; castalagin; mice; toxicology.