In vivo Antiviral Activity of Stephania cepharantha against Herpes Simplex Virus Type‐1

The antiviral activity of a MeOH extract of Stephania cepharantha (root tubers), its CHCl 3 ‐soluble fraction (alkaloid fraction) and the major alkaloid FK‐3000 ( 1 ) were investigated in BALB/c mice cutaneously infected with HSV‐1 strain 7401H. At doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight, p.o., the MeOH extract significantly delayed skin lesion on score 2 (vesicles in the local region), limited the development of further lesions on score 6 (mild zosteriform lesion) and prolonged the mean survival time of HSV‐1 infected mice. After p.o. administration of the CHCl 3 ‐soluble fraction at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg or FK‐3000 ( 1 ) at 10 and 25 mg/kg, similar results were obtained. Although the alkaloid improved the survival of infected mice, it had a narrow therapeutic index. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.