Instantaneous Inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus by Silicon Nitride Bioceramics
Hydrolytic reactions taking place at the surface of a silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) bioceramic were found to induce instantaneous inactivation of Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1, also known as Herpes simplex virus 1 or HSV-1). Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-08-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/16/12657 |
| Summary: | Hydrolytic reactions taking place at the surface of a silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) bioceramic were found to induce instantaneous inactivation of Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1, also known as Herpes simplex virus 1 or HSV-1). Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> is a non-oxide ceramic compound with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that has been proven safe for human cells. HSV-1 is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects a variety of host tissues through a lytic and latent cycle. Real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of HSV-1 DNA after instantaneous contact with Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> showed that ammonia and its nitrogen radical byproducts, produced upon Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> hydrolysis, directly reacted with viral proteins and fragmented the virus DNA, irreversibly damaging its structure. A comparison carried out upon testing HSV-1 against ZrO<sub>2</sub> particles under identical experimental conditions showed a significantly weaker (but not null) antiviral effect, which was attributed to oxygen radical influence. The results of this study extend the effectiveness of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>’s antiviral properties beyond their previously proven efficacy against a large variety of single-stranded enveloped and non-enveloped RNA viruses. Possible applications include the development of antiviral creams or gels and oral rinses to exploit an extremely efficient, localized, and instantaneous viral reduction by means of a safe and more effective alternative to conventional antiviral creams. Upon incorporating a minor fraction of micrometric Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> particles into polymeric matrices, antiherpetic devices could be fabricated, which would effectively impede viral reactivation and enable high local effectiveness for extended periods of time. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |