Identifying anti-HSV compounds from unrelated plants using NMR and LC-MS metabolomic analysis.

Metabolomic analysis on unrelated plants with similar activity can be used to identify the active compound groups or compounds, thereby eliminating the need for screening of plants to determine biological activity, additionally providing information on possible active principles. The two analytical methods identified chlorogenic acids and its building blocks as common and important compounds within plants with anti-HSV activity. Intensified research on plants containing chlorogenic acids should be the focus of future research for development of accessible anti-HSV treatments.