Lignin-ascorbic Acid Combination Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus

Objectives: We have previously reported that lignin carbohydrate fraction showed higher anti-HSV activity in vitro than natural and chemically modified glucans, possibly by inhibiting the virus adsorption to the cells. Lignin carbohydrate complex enhanced both the radical intensity and cytotoxicity of ascorbic acid. We evaluated here the effect of pine cone lignin and ascorbic acid combination treatment on HSV-I infected patients. Methods: Lignin carbohydrate complex was prepared from pine cone of Pinus parviflora Sieb et Zucc. by acid precipitation of the alkaline extract after extensive hot water washing.. The lignin-ascorbic acid tablet was prepared by mixing 50 mg pine cone extract powder JS, 50 mg ascorbic acid, 83 mg maltitol, 13 mg potato starch, and 13 mg calcium stearate. One tablet (that contains 50 mg of lignin, 50 mg ascorbic acid each) was orally administered three times daily during a month. Forty eight healthy patients of both genders between 4 to 61 years old (mean: 31±16.12 years), with active lesions of HSV-1, took part in the study. Clinical evaluations were made at least three times a week during the two first weeks after the onset, and every six months during the subsequent year. Results: Patients who began the lignin-ascorbic acid treatment within the first 48 hours did not develop HSV-1 characteristic lesions, whereas those patients who began the treatment later experienced a shorter duration of cold sore lesions and a decrease in the symptoms. Majority of the patients reported the reduction in the severity of symptoms and in the recurrent episodes. Conclusion: The present study suggests possible applicability of lignin carbohydrate complex-vitamin C tablet for the prevention and treatment of HSV-1 infection.