Cobalt, being essential metal, influences different physiological and enzymatic functions. As cobalt
does not accumulate in the body, Co-compounds have relatively low toxicity. The aim of the present
study is the effect of complexes of Co(II) with aminoacids - lysine, arginine, histidine and serine on
HSV-1 replication. No effect of [O2Co(his)4].nH2O and [O2Co(arg)2].nH2O on HSV-1 infection in vitro
was found. Both, [O2Co(lys)2].nH2O and [O2Co(ser)2].nH2O suppress the attachement of HSV-1
particles onto target cells and the viral replication as well. Moreover, the properties of the particular
Co-complex (charge, stability, structure) are manifestated by their virucidal effect. Thus,
[O2Co(ser)2].nH2O irreversibly inhibits the infectious activity of free HSV-1 virions, while virucidal
effect of [O2Co(lys)2].nH2O is completely reversible after the 2h of contact.