Melissa Extract for Herpes Simplex - The Alternative to Nucleoside

[Guest guest]

Melissa Extract for Herpes Simplex - The Alternative to Nucleoside

Analogues

 

Author:

 

Mohrig V

 

Source:

 

Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung. 1996; 50:109-114.

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=1592

 

Abstract:

 

In the Sixties and Seventies the antiviral activity of balm mint

against herpes-simplex viruses (HSV) was first mentioned. These

scientific results lead to the development of a special preparation

containing balm mint leaf extractions. In the last ten years a cream

called Lomaherpan has proven to be useful in clinical medicine. Non-

infected cells are protected from penetrating herpes-simplex viruses

by the balm mint extract; phenolcarbonic acids and its polymers are

responsible for this effect. Clinical trials have already proven the

efficacy of this preparation. Here we will report on recent

evaluations and clinical trials. We can expect the topical use of

balm mint leaves extractions to be equally effective than nucleoside

analogues in treating HSV infections of the skin. Based on the

results of a recently completed pilot study in 22 patients it might

be expected, that controlled clinical trials which are under way and

which are conducted according to the principles outlined in EC-GCP

(European Community Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice) will

confirm balm mint extract preparation as an alternative to

nucleoside analogues.

 

Nucleoside analogues may induce HSV to become resistant by

interfering with the metabolism of the virus-infected cells.

Furthermore, a shortening of the recurrence-free period was reported

repeatedly. Therefore, it should be discussed whether the therapy

with nucleoside analogues could be induced in high-risk patients

only.

 

 

The mechanism of action for balm mint makes it unlikely that HSV

will become resistant, and it explains the observation of a

prolonged disease-free period. The lowering of daily treatment costs

must be emphasized.