Herpes simplex virus infection is commonly known as herpes. The two types of herpes simplex virus are HSV-1 (known to cause orofacial disease such as cold sores) and HSV-2 (causes genital infections). Over 80% of herpes infections is asymptomatic. Symptomatic infections are presented with blistering sores, pain during urination, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Acyclovir (ACV) and other antiviral nucleoside derivatives are commonly used agents for treating viral diseases such as herpes simplex, but suffer from inadequate efficacy in many cases, increasing emergence of drug-resistant viruses and serious adverse effects that may lead to nephrotoxicity and/or interruption of treatment. We identifies a novel combination of three natural compounds extracted and isolated from a Middle East plant, which together exhibit a strong synergistic anti-Herpes effect.  The mechanism of action is different from Acyclovir.
Potential applications
Oral, injection or topical new treatment to HSV.
Stage of Development
Plant extract significantly reduced HSV-1 infectious viral yield in three tested human cell lines, with a specific fraction that exhibited considerably greater inhibition than did the other fractions, comparable to 10 µM acyclovir.  No in vitro cytotoxicity observed. The compounds in the active fraction were identified and tested for anti-herpetical activity individually and in combinations.  Each of the tested compounds had little or no effect on amounts of HSV-1 when tested individually; whereas a combination of specific compounds considerably inhibited HSV-1 (p < 0.001 relative to control), indicating a clear synergistic effect. Mechanism of action is under investigation.
Intellectual Property
Ramot together with Ariel and Ben Gurion Universities filed a provisional patent application titled: ANTIVIRAL COMPOSITION AND USES THEREOF