Abstract: Objective To evaluate the in vitro antiviral activity of HB-13,a compound derivant from berberine and its prodrug berberine,against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Methods Vero cells were cultured in vitro and infected with HSV.Then,various concentrations of HB-13, berberine,and aciclovir were used to treat these infected cells.The cytopathic effect was observed to determine the antiviral effects and cytotoxicity of HB-13 and berberine.Results For HB-13,berberine and acyclovir,the half toxicity concentration (TC₅₀) to Vero cells was 31.99,380 and more than 800μg/mL, respectively;the average half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) against HSV-1 was 1.328,more than 100,and 0.443μg/mL,respectively,the treatment index (TI) against HSV-1 was 24.09,less than 3.80,and more than 1805.87,respectively;the IC₅₀ against HSV-2 was 1.344,more than 100,and 0.679μg/mL,respectively,the TI against HSV-2 was 23.80,less than 3.80 and more than 1178.20,respectively.Conclusion HB-13 possesses marked antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in vitro,while berberine does not.

Key words: Simplexvirus, In vitro, Berberine, HB-13