Synthesis and evaluation of N-substituted acridones as antiviral agents against haemorrhagic fever viruses

SEPÚLVEDA, CS; FASCIO, ML; MAZZUCCO, MB; PALACIOS, RF; GARCÍA, CC; D’ACCORSO, NB; DAMONTE, EB

ANTIVIRAL CHEMISTRY & CHEMOTHERAPY

International Medical Press

Año: 2008 vol. 19 p. 41 - 47

0956-3202

In the present study, a series of N-substituted acridone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated against two haemorrhagic fever viruses (HFV). METHODS: Compounds were tested against Junin virus (JUNV), an arenavirus agent of Argentine haemorrhagic fever, and dengue virus (DENV), a flavivirus agent of the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in humans. RESULTS: Among tested compounds, two N-allyl acridones (derivatives 3c and 3f) elicited a potent and selective antiviral activity against JUNV (strain 1V4454) and DENV-2 (strain NGC) with 50% effective concentration values between 2.5 and 5.5 microM, as determined by virus yield inhibition. No cytotoxicity was detected at concentrations up to 1,000 microM, resulting in selectivity indices >181.8-400.0. Both acridones were effective against a wide spectrum of arenaviruses and the four serotypes of DENV. Furthermore, 3c and 3f failed to inactivate virus before cell infection as well as to induce a refractory state by cell pretreatment, indicating that the inhibitory effect was exerted through a blockade in virus multiplication during the infectious process. CONCLUSION: These data are the first demonstration that acridone derivatives have a potent antiviral activity that block in vitro multiplication of HFV belonging to Arenaviridae and Flaviviridae, such as JUNV and DENV.