A Screening for the Antiviral Effect of Extracts from Brazilian Marine Algae against Acyclovir Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

In order to verify the antiviral activity of extracts from Brazilian marine algae, aqueous cold extracts of eight species belonging to the classes Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae and Chlorophyceae were assayed for anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) activity using an acyclovir-resistant strain. All extracts inhibited the propagation of HSV-1 in HEp-2 cells at non-toxic concentrations with Laminaria abyssalis the most potent species. These results suggest the Brazilian algae are promising sources of natural antiviral agents for the treatment of acyclovir resistant HSV-1 infections.