Study: Activated carbon increases acyclovir against herpes

August 20, 2019  22:15

Activated carbon may increase the effectiveness of acyclovir against herpes, said scientists from the University of Illinois.

According to scientists, the combination of acyclovir with particles of activated carbon can reduce the dosage and the general course of treatment, Science Advances reported.

This combination can also be used in prophylactic products to protect against virus infection.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV-1 affects the eyes and mouth (can lead to blindness), and HSV-2 is a genital infection that causes warts and can significantly reduce the quality of life.

Acyclovir is a systemic drug that suppresses the virus. It must be taken orally. However, prolonged treatment with acyclovir can lead to the development of resistance to this drug, as well as cause damage to the kidneys.

The researchers first studied the effect of activated carbon on HSV-1 and HSV-2 under laboratory conditions: as it turned out, the activated carbon solution reduced the infection of cells that were exposed to HSV-1 or HSV-2 by 4–60%.

The specialists combined acyclovir with activated carbon and tested the combination on the eyes of mice infected with HSV-1 and on the genitals of mice infected with HSV-2. Such a combination faster and more effectively reduced the viral load than the use of acyclovir without coal.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter


 
  • Video
 
 
  • Event calendar
 
 
  • Archive
 
  • Most read
 
  • Find us on Facebook
 
  • Poll
Are you aware that in 2027 medical insurance will become mandatory for all Armenian citizens?
I’m aware, and I'm in favor
I’m not aware, and I'm against
I'm aware, but I'm still undecided
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm in favor
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm against
It doesn't matter to me