Background and Aims: Despite documentation on the antiviral effects of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and nano-silver colloid (Ag) on herpes simplex virus type 1, the synergistic effect of these two materials at different concentrations is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral effect of various concentration combinations of cetylpyridinium chloride and nano-silver colloid on herpes simplex virus type 1.
Materials and Methods: This laboratory study conducted at the molecular virology department of Iran Pasteur Institute in the year 1400. After testing the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of CPC and Ag, the disinfecting effect of safe concentrations of each substance individually and also in the form of three compounds, was examined on the cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1. The study groups included groups 1 to 6 with 0.01 µg/ml to 1000 µg/ml of Ag, groups 7 to 12 with 0.1 µg/ml to 10000 µg/ml of CPC, and combination groups of Ag 10 µg/ml + CPC 10 µg/ml (G13), Ag 10 µg/ml + CPC 1 µg/ml (G14), and Ag 1 µg/ml + CPC 10 µg/ml (G15). Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Games-Howell and Tukey HSD pair comparison tests at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Based on the MTT test and the cell viability exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1, the highest number of living cells belonged to the 10 µg/ml Ag group, followed by 10 µg/ml CPC, 10 µg/ml Ag + 10 µg/ml CPC, 1 µg/ml Ag + 10 µg/ml CPC, and 10 µg/ml Ag + 1 µg/ml CPC groups. In terms of antiviral effect, there was a significant difference between group 1 and groups 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 (P<0.001), between groups 2 and 3 (P=0.40), between groups 2 and 4 (P=0.041), between group 2 and groups 5 and 6 (P=0.035), between group 7 and groups 10, 11, and 12 (P<0.001), between group 8 and groups 10, 11, and 12 (P<0.001), and between group 9 and groups 10, 11, and 12 (P<0.001). Among combination groups, the most antiviral effect and the least cell toxicity was found in the 10 µg/ml Ag + 10 µg/ml CPC group, while the least antiviral effect was observed in the Ag 10 µg/ml + CPC 1 µg/ml group.
Conclusion: The highest cell viability rate belonged to the 10 µg/ml Ag group, followed by the 10 µg/ml CPC group, and their combination resulted in a reduction of its effect in this area. The antiviral effect of these materials individually was greater than in their combined state. Additionally , the most antiviral effect and the least cell toxicity was found in the 10 µg/ml Ag + 10 µg/ml CPC group among the combination groups.
