Improvement of Rosacea During Acyclovir Treatment: A Case Report

Abstract

First of all, acyclovir is known to inhibit indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme that uses superoxide anions for its activity [3]. [...]reactive oxygen species that are increased in rosacea induce VEGF expression [12]. Because acyclovir reduces VEGF and its receptor VEGFR2 and because of its reactive oxygen species-scavenging activity, this drug can diminish the expression and function of the VEGF system involved in rosacea [13]. Haas J, Meyding-Lamade U, Fath A, Stingele K, Storch-Hagenlocher B, Wildemann B. Acyclovir treatment of experimentally induced herpes simplex virus encephalitis: monitoring the changes in immunologic NO synthase expression and viral load within brain tissue of SJL mice.