ABSTRACT
Previous studies reported on the broad-spectrum antiviral function of heparin. Here we investigated the antiviral function of magnesium-modified heparin and found that modified heparin displayed a significantly enhanced antiviral function against human adenovirus (HAdV) in immortalized and primary cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed a conformational change of heparin when complexed with magnesium. To broadly explore this discovery, we tested the antiviral function of modified heparin against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and found that the replication of HSV-1 was even further decreased compared to aciclovir. Moreover, we investigated the antiviral effect against the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and measured a 55-fold decreased viral load in the supernatant of infected cells associated with a 38-fold decrease in virus growth. The advantage of our modified heparin is an increased antiviral effect compared to regular heparin.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Heparin/pharmacology , Magnesium Chloride/pharmacology , Acyclovir/pharmacology , Adenoviruses, Human/drug effects , Adenoviruses, Human/physiology , Animals , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , CHO Cells , Cell Line, Tumor , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cricetulus , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Fibroblasts , Heparin/chemistry , Herpesvirus 1, Human/drug effects , Herpesvirus 1, Human/physiology , Humans , Magnesium Chloride/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Molecular Structure , Primary Cell Culture , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Structure-Activity Relationship , Vero Cells , Viral Load/drug effects , Virus Replication/drug effectsABSTRACT
Since herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is so widespread, several antiviral drugs have been developed to treat it, among which are uracil nucleosides. However, there are major problems with the current medications such as severe side-effects and drug resistance. Here we present some newly synthesized cyclic and acyclic uracil nucleosides that showed very promising activity against HSV-1 compared to acyclovir.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/chemical synthesis , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/drug effects , Uridine/chemical synthesis , Uridine/pharmacology , Acyclovir/pharmacology , Animals , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/drug effects , Reference Standards , Structure-Activity Relationship , Uridine/chemistry , Vero CellsABSTRACT
At the moment, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA)-approved drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, although several antiviral drugs are available for repurposing. Many of these drugs suffer from polymorphic transformations with changes in the drug's safety and efficacy; many are poorly soluble, poorly bioavailable drugs. Current tools to reformulate antiviral APIs into safer and more bioavailable forms include pharmaceutical salts and cocrystals, even though it is difficult to classify solid forms into these regulatory-wise mutually exclusive categories. Pure liquid salt forms of APIs, ionic liquids that incorporate APIs into their structures (API-ILs) present all the advantages that salt forms provide from a pharmaceutical standpoint, without being subject to solid-state matter problems. In this perspective article, the myths and the most voiced concerns holding back implementation of API-ILs are examined, and two case studies of API-ILs antivirals (the amphoteric acyclovir and GSK2838232) are presented in detail, with a focus on drug property improvement. We advocate that the industry should consider the advantages of API-ILs which could be the genesis of disruptive innovation and believe that in order for the industry to grow and develop, the industry should be comfortable with a certain element of risk because progress often only comes from trying something different.