# Antiherpetic Activity of a Root Exudate from Solanum lycopersicum

## TL;DR

This study shows that a natural compound from tomato roots can effectively fight herpesviruses, offering a potential alternative to current antiviral drugs.

## Contribution

The discovery of a novel natural product from tomato root exudate with potent antiherpetic activity.

## Key findings

- The root exudate from Solanum lycopersicum showed strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HCMV.
- The compound inhibits a key molecular event during herpesvirus replication.
- Mass spectrometry identified the phytochemical fingerprint of the exudate.

## Abstract

The rise of drug resistance to antivirals poses a significant global concern for public health; therefore, there is a pressing need to identify novel compounds that can effectively counteract strains resistant to current antiviral treatments. In light of this, researchers have been exploring new approaches, including the investigation of natural compounds as alternative sources for developing potent antiviral therapies. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the antiviral properties of the organic-soluble fraction of a root exudate derived from the tomato plant Solanum lycopersicum in the context of herpesvirus infections. Our findings demonstrated that a root exudate from Solanum lycopersicum exhibits remarkable efficacy against prominent members of the family Herpesviridae, specifically herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (EC50 25.57 µg/mL, SI > 15.64) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) (EC50 9.17 µg/mL, SI 32.28) by inhibiting a molecular event during the herpesvirus replication phase. Moreover, the phytochemical fingerprint of the Solanum lycopersicum root exudate was characterized through mass spectrometry. Overall, these data have unveiled a novel natural product with antiherpetic activity, presenting a promising and valuable alternative to existing drugs.