Effectiveness of aspen bark extract (Populus tremula L.) as an interferon inducer in recurrent infections caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2

Introduction. Herpesvirus infections are among the most common viral infections. The scale of their incidence and the psychological and physiological damage they cause determine the significant medical and social significance of herpesvirus infections.

Work Objective is a study of the effectiveness and safety of using a dietary supplement based on aspen bark extract as an interferon inducer in recurrent infections caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.

Material and methods. The object of the study was a «Populin» – biologically active food supplement based on a concentrated aqueous extract of aspen bark (Populus tremula L.). The observation included patients with diagnosed recurrent infection caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. The patients were matched in age and gender. During the study, tolerability and possible adverse events were recorded and vital signs were monitored. The interferon status of patients was analyzed by determining the amount of interferons alpha and gamma, as well as the induced production of these interferons by blood leukocytes in the comparison groups in dynamics.

Results. It has been found out that the use of aspen bark extract reduced the amount of herpes infection relapses – 70.6% of patients noted clinical improvement. The use of aspen bark extract contributed to positive clinical dynamics by reducing the area of damage and the number of rashes – their share has decreased in 6 times. Aspen bark extract normalized disturbances in the interferon status of patients – it reduced interferon deficiency of varying severity. Statistically significant changes in the dynamics of production of induced interferons alpha and gamma were noted.

Conclusions. As a result of the studies, it has been found out that the use of a biologically active food supplement «Populin» based on aspen bark extract bark in patients with recurrent herpesvirus infection caused by the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 helps to reduce the frequency of relapses, the area of damage and the severity of clinical symptoms, and stabilizes the interferon status of patients by normalizing the production of induced interferons alpha and gamma.