{
  "abstract": "Background: Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), caused by herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) infection, is a common ocular disease that can lead to corneal scarring and visual impairment. Since current antiviral drugs exhibit limited efficacy against HSK, it is necessary to explore new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HSV-1 infection-related diseases.\n\nPurpose: This study aimed to explore the potential role of ailanthone, a plant-derived natural compound, as a therapeutic drug for reducing HSV-1 replication and alleviating the progression of HSK.\n\nMethods: A library of natural compounds was screened and in vitro assays were performed to examine the inhibition of HSV-1 replication by ailanthone; Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking prioritized integrin beta 2 (ITGB2) as a potential functional target of ailanthone. In vivo assays conducted to evaluate the anti-viral activity of ailanthone using an HSK mouse model.\n\nResults: The study discovered that ailanthone is a potent HSV-1 inhibitor identified by screening. It suppressed viral gene expression and viral titers in vitro by downregulating ITGB2, a host factor supporting viral replication. Furthermore, ailanthone treatment at a low dose (1 mg/kg) and a high dose (5 mg/kg) significantly alleviated corneal lesions and reduced the corneal viral load in a mouse model of HSK.\n\nConclusion: In conclusion, this study provided evidence that ITGB2 supported HSV-1 replication and identified a plant-derived natural compound, ailanthone, which suppresses HSV-1 replication via modulating ITGB2 expression, providing a potential drug candidate and therapeutic target for HSK treatment.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, School of Basic Medicine, Bengbu Medical University",
    "Interdisciplinary Eye Research Institute (EYE-X Institute), Bengbu Medical University",
    "Wenzhou Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University",
    "School of Stomatology, Nanchang University",
    "Department of Ophthalmology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School",
    "School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Li Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Enhui Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xinyue Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Le Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Lei Wu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Shiqi Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Wei Jin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Qin Qin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Rui Chen"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jing Wu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Deyan Chen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26gkb3d77zg6a.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13730946/",
  "id": "26gkb3d77zg6a",
  "issns": [
    "1663-9812"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590/full",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223124918",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590/pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13730946",
  "pmid": "42984814",
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26gkb3d77zg6a.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:06Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590/full"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T12:23:54Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13730946",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1937590"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2713|Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Natural compound ailanthone alleviates herpes simplex keratitis in mice by inhibiting HSV-1 replication",
  "title_text": "Natural compound ailanthone alleviates herpes simplex keratitis in mice by inhibiting HSV-1 replication",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T12:21:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/26gkb3d77zg6a",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Pharmacology",
  "versions": []
}