Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College/School

College of Science and Mathematics

Department/Program

Biology

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Sandra D. Adams

Committee Member

Lee H. Lee

Committee Member

Quinn C. Vega

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a linear double stranded DNA virus that is responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases within the United States. However, treatment drugs for HSV-1 could be costly and may have side effects. In recent years the number of cases of drug resistant HSV-1 has increased, resulting in interest for novel treatments. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral effects of the reagent Embelin on HSV-1 infection in cultured Vero Cells. Embelin is a benzoquinone isolated from the plant Embelia ribes. Cell viability and cell proliferation assays were conducted to determine the maximum noncytotoxic concentration of Embelin. Additional assays were conducted to measure cell proliferation and antiviral effect. The results of this study suggest that Embelin indeed inhibits HSV-1 with best viral inhibition between 50 μM and 54 μM. Also, Embelin seems to be most effective at inhibiting the virus at the binding stage of the viral cycle.

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