2. Academic Validation
  3. Quercetin inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 replication in corneal epithelium and suppresses keratitis progression

Quercetin inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 replication in corneal epithelium and suppresses keratitis progression

  • Virol Sin. 2025 Aug;40(4):647-657. doi: 10.1016/j.virs.2025.07.007.
Yubin Yu 1,  Sihao Liu 2,  Qinghua Liu 2,  Xiuping Liu 2,  Kaili Wu 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
  • 2 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
  • 3 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China. Electronic address: wukaili@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
PMID: 40675379 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2025.07.007
Abstract

Quercetin is a natural compound with potent Antiviral effects; however, its role in the treatment of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) remains underexplored. Here, we investigated the Antiviral effects of quercetin against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). By examining different phases of viral Infection in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs), we found that 30 μmol/L quercetin inhibits HSV-1 replication primarily by disrupting viral attachment. RNA-sequencing and subsequent analyses revealed that the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was upregulated by quercetin in a dose-dependent manner. Knocking down Nrf2 partially compromised quercetin's Antiviral effect. Importantly, topical application of 100 μmol/L quercetin alleviated HSK severity in mice, reduced viral titers in tears, and inhibited VP16 expression in the cornea and trigeminal ganglia. These findings demonstrate the Antiviral effect of quercetin against HSV-1 and provide a foundation for mechanistic studies to elucidate its therapeutic potential in HSK.

Keywords

Antiviral; Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK); Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1); Nrf2; Quercetin.

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