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.

• Keywords
• HSV latency, acyclovir resistance, antiviral mechanisms, herpes simplex virus, herpesvirus infections, natural antivirals, phenolic acids, polyphenols, synergistic antiviral effects, tannins,
• MeSH
• Antiviral Agents * pharmacology   therapeutic use   chemistry   MeSH
• Herpes Simplex * drug therapy   virology   MeSH
• Hydroxybenzoates * pharmacology   chemistry   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Herpesvirus 1, Human * drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Herpesvirus 2, Human drug effects   MeSH
• Virus Replication drug effects   MeSH
• Simplexvirus * drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Tannins * pharmacology   chemistry   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiviral Agents * MeSH
• Hydroxybenzoates * MeSH
• phenolic acid MeSH Browser
• Tannins * MeSH