Antiherpetic potential of 6-bromoindirubin-3'-acetoxime (BIO-acetoxime) in human oral epithelial cells

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) functions in the regulation of glycogen metabolism, in the cell cycle, and in immune responses and is targeted by some viruses to favor the viral life cycle. Inhibition of GSK-3 by 6-bromoindirubin-3'-acetoxime (BIO-acetoxime), a synthetic derivative of a compound from the Mediterranean mollusk Hexaplex trunculus, protects cells from varicella Infection. In this study, we examined the effects of BIO-acetoxime against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) Infection in human oral epithelial cells, which represent a natural target cell type. The results revealed that BIO-acetoxime relieves HSV-1-induced cytopathic effects and Apoptosis. We also found that BIO-acetoxime reduced viral yields and the expression of different classes of Viral Proteins. Furthermore, addition of BIO-acetoxime before, simultaneously with or after HSV-1 Infection significantly reduced viral yields. Collectively, BIO-acetoxime may suppress viral gene expression and protect oral epithelial cells from HSV-1 Infection. These results suggest the possible involvement of GSK-3 in HSV-1 Infection.