Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
The inhibitory effect of spermicidal agents on replication of HSV-2 and HIV-1 in-vitro
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sheffield Medical School, UK.
Abstract:
Five spermicides including nonoxynol-9 were assessed under in-vitro conditions, for their inhibitory activity against two viruses capable of spread by sexual intercourse, herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) and the human immunodeficiency virus type-1. A further eight commercially-available spermicidal preparations containing varying concentrations of either nonoxynol-9 or nonoxynol-11 were also assessed for activity against HSV-2. All spermicides and spermicidal preparations tested showed inhibitory activity against both viruses over periods of time ranging from 30 sec to 5 min. This activity was dependent on the concentration of spermicide to which the viruses were exposed.
Related Concept Videos
Herpes
Genital Herpes
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

