Antiviral effects of synthetic membrane-active peptides on herpes simplex virus, type 1

Magainins are cationic peptides with antimicrobial activity which were orig inally isolated from the skin of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Several synthetic derivatives of this class of peptides were evaluated for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV). Some of the peptides (MSI-102, -248, -420, -499/500 combination, -591, -594, and -1251) showed significant reduction of HSV plaque-forming units. The antiviral ef fect was enhanced when HSV was pretreated with the peptides prior to inocul ation onto Vero monolayers, suggesting a direct effect on the virion. Most of the peptides with anti-HSV activity were lysine-rich, and the addition o f octanoyl groups to the peptides appeared to enhance the antiviral effect. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. and International Society of C hemotherapy. All rights reserved.