The anti-HSV-2 effect of alumen: In vitro and in vivo experimental studies

This study investigated the anti-HSV-2 effect of alumen through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Viable cell counting was employed to assess the toxicity of alumen on Vero cells. The inhibition rate of HSV-2 was defined as the cytopathic effect (CPE) of the cells infected with the virus. Alumen suppositories of different concentrations were vaginally applied to the guinea pigs which were then infected with HSV-2 via a vaginal route. The clinical symptoms were observed and the local virus titer calculated. The results showed that alumen had an in vitro anti-HSV-2 effect by means of antiviral duplication, direct killing of the virus, and antiviral adsorption. Alumen suppositories of different concentrations could reduce or completely inhibit HSV-2 infection in guinea pigs. It was concluded that alumen had an in vitro anti-HSV-2 effect through multiple approaches and it could suppress in vivo vaginal HSV-2 infection of guinea pig to some extent.