Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a prevalent and persistent human pathogen belonging to the family Herpesviridae and classified as an alpha-herpesvirus. It comprises two distinct types, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which together infect a significant portion of the global population and pose substantial public health challenges. HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes, while HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes; both are characterized by recurrent lesions, latent infection, and mucocutaneous discomfort. Conventional antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and its derivatives are limited by drug resistance, potential toxicity, and their inability to eradicate latent viral reservoirs. These limitations have prompted increasing interest in alternative therapeutic strategies. Phenolic acids and tannins, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, have attracted considerable attention due to their potent antiviral properties against various viruses, including HSV. This review summarizes current research on phenolic acids and tannins as promising natural antivirals against HSV, with a focus on their mechanisms of action and efficacy in disrupting multiple stages of the HSV life cycle.

• Klíčová slova
• HSV latency, acyclovir resistance, antiviral mechanisms, herpes simplex virus, herpesvirus infections, natural antivirals, phenolic acids, polyphenols, synergistic antiviral effects, tannins,
• MeSH
• antivirové látky * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   chemie   MeSH
• herpes simplex * farmakoterapie   virologie   MeSH
• hydroxybenzoáty * farmakologie   chemie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský herpesvirus 1 * účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• lidský herpesvirus 2 účinky léků   MeSH
• replikace viru účinky léků   MeSH
• Simplexvirus * účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• taniny * farmakologie   chemie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antivirové látky * MeSH
• hydroxybenzoáty * MeSH
• phenolic acid MeSH Prohlížeč
• taniny * MeSH

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the human gamma-herpesviruses, is intricately linked to various human malignancies. Current treatment options for EBV infection involve the use of acyclovir and its derivatives, which exhibit limited efficacy and are associated with drug resistance issues. Therefore, there is a critical need for new medications with more effective therapeutic actions and less susceptibility to resistance. This review explores the therapeutic promise of flavones and flavonols, naturally occurring molecules, against EBV and its correlated cancers. It thoroughly delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of these compounds and scrutinizes their complex interplay in EBV-linked processes and cancer transformation by targeting key genes and proteins pivotal to both the viral life cycle and tumor development. Additionally, the review covers current research, highlights key findings, and discusses promising avenues for future investigations in the pursuit of targeted therapies against EBV and its related tumors.

• Klíčová slova
• EBV life cycle, EBV-associated cancers, Epstein–Barr virus, anticancer effects, antiviral properties, flavones, flavonoids, flavonols, host–EBV interaction, viral and cellular genes, viral and cellular proteins,
• MeSH
• antivirové látky * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   chemie   MeSH
• flavonoly * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   chemie   MeSH
• flavony * farmakologie   terapeutické užití   chemie   MeSH
• infekce virem Epsteina-Barrové * farmakoterapie   komplikace   virologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory * farmakoterapie   virologie   MeSH
• protinádorové látky farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• virus Epsteinův-Barrové * účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antivirové látky * MeSH
• flavonoly * MeSH
• flavony * MeSH
• protinádorové látky MeSH

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are cancer-causing viruses that belong to human gamma-herpesviruses. They are DNA viruses known to establish lifelong infections in humans, with the ability to develop various types of cancer. Drug resistance remains the main barrier to achieving effective therapies for viral infections and cancer. Thus, new medications with dual antiviral and anticancer actions are highly needed. Flavonoids are secondary metabolites biosynthesized by plants with diverse therapeutic effects on human health. In this review, we feature the potential role of flavonoids (flavones, protoflavones, isoflavones, flavanones, flavonols, dihydroflavonols, catechins, chalcones, anthocyanins, and other flavonoid-type compounds) in controlling gamma-herpesvirus-associated cancers by blocking EBV and KSHV infections and inhibiting the formation and growth of the correlated tumors, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, gastric cancer, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, and primary effusion lymphoma. The underlying mechanisms via targeting EBV and KSHV life cycles and carcinogenesis are highlighted. Moreover, the effective concentrations or doses are emphasized.

• Klíčová slova
• Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), anticancer properties, antiviral activities, cancer treatment, carcinogenesis, flavonoids, herpesviruses, molecular mechanisms, tumor viruses,
• MeSH
• anthokyaniny MeSH
• flavonoidy farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Herpesviridae * MeSH
• infekce virem Epsteina-Barrové * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• Kaposiho sarkom * patologie   MeSH
• karcinogeneze MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský herpesvirus 8 * genetika   MeSH
• nádory * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• virus Epsteinův-Barrové genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• anthokyaniny MeSH
• flavonoidy MeSH