[Effect of aristolochic acid on herpes simplex infection of the rabbit eye]

Using the model of rabbit eye infected by Herpes simplex viruses type 1, the protective action of aristolochic acid which increases the defence mechanism against virus infections is demonstrated in comparative experiments. With an ID50 of 10(4,4)/ml the Herpes-affected epithelial lesion rate of the cornea in the treated group of animals is clearly lower than that of the group not treated. The application of aristolochic acid leads also to a more rapid healing of the lesions. The increase of the protein content in the aqueous humor which corresponds to the rise in the irritation of the iris, is significantly more pronounced in the untreated group of animals as opposed to the treated ones. The animals treated with aristolochic acid, show a clearly increased number of micro- and macrophages in the cornea and in the vitreous body, respectively.