Research Summary

Introduction

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1, IBR), an alphaherpesvirus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus, are important cattle pathogens. Genistein, a naturally occurring flavonoid in soybeans, inhibits in vitro replication of herpes simplex virus 1, another alphaherpesvirus. Genistein has also been used to protect against a wide range of animal and human conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, loss of brain function, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms. This makes genistein an excellent candidate for use as an anti-viral drug. Genistein was tested for its ability to inhibit the replication of BHV-1 and BVDV.