Zinc oxide-polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite: A promising antiviral agent against acyclovir-sensitive and resistant...

Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strains have emerged as a health concern in both immunocompromised and healthy individuals, necessitating the development of effective treatments. Recent advances in nanotechnology have offered innovative approaches for treating viral infections. In this study, the antiviral effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) conjugated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-a ZnO-PVA nanocomposite-was investigated against both acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains.

The ZnO-PVA nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Its cytotoxicity was evaluated with an MTT assay, and its antiviral activity was assessed via quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of the nanocomposite on viral antigen expression was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay.

At the highest non-toxic concentration (800 μg/mL), the nanocomposite reduced the viral loads of acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 strains by 99.5 % and 98.3 %, respectively (p-values <0.001). Furthermore, treatment of HSV-1-infected cells with the ZnO-PVA nanocomposite significantly decreased the expression of viral antigens compared to the control group.

The ZnO-PVA nanocomposite exhibited significant antiviral effects against both acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1, suggesting its potential as an effective therapeutic agent.