Ion channels and ions as therapeutic targets and strategies for herpes simplex virus infection

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a highly contagious virus that cannot be completely cured currently. Existing treatment methods are mainly nucleoside antiviral drugs, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains severely limits their use. There is an urgent need to discover antiviral drugs that act on new targets. Ion channels, a class of cellular proteins with a wide range of functions, have become critical host factors for a wide variety of viral infections. Ion channel blockers have been shown to have antiviral activity. In this study, we discuss the role of ion channels and ions in the HSV life cycle, and the potential of targeting ion channels as a novel, pharmacologically safe and wide-range antiviral treatment option.