scholarly journals Broad Spectrum Antiviral Properties of Cardiotonic Steroids Used as Potential Therapeutics for Emerging Coronavirus Infections

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1839
Author(s):  
Young-Hee Jin ◽  
Sangeun Jeon ◽  
Jihye Lee ◽  
Seungtaek Kim ◽  
Min Seong Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Intraperitoneal Administration ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Repeated Dose Toxicity ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cyp Inhibition ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

Cardiotonic steroids are steroid-like natural compounds known to inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase pumps. To develop a broad-spectrum antiviral drug against the emerging coronavirus infection, this study assessed the antiviral properties of these compounds. The activity of seven types of cardiotonic steroids against the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus varieties was analyzed using immunofluorescence antiviral assay in virus-infected cells. Bufalin, cinobufagin, and telocinobufagin showed high anti-MERS-CoV activities (IC50, 0.017~0.027 μM); bufalin showed the most potent anti-SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 activity (IC50, 0.016~0.019 μM); cinobufotalin and resibufogenin showed comparatively low anti-coronavirus activity (IC50, 0.231~1.612 μM). Differentially expressed genes in Calu3 cells treated with cinobufagin, telocinobufagin, or bufalin, which had high antiviral activity during MERS-CoV infection were analyzed using QuantSeq 3′ mRNA-Seq analysis and data showed similar gene expression patterns. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg/day bufalin, cinobufagin, or digitoxin induced 100% death after 1, 2, and 4 days in 5-day repeated dose toxicity studies and it indicated that bufalin had the strongest toxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested that telocinobufagin, which had high anti-coronavirus activity and low toxicity, had better microsomal stability, lower CYP inhibition, and better oral bioavailability than cinobufagin. Therefore, telocinobufagin might be the most promising cardiotonic steroid as a therapeutic for emerging coronavirus infections, including COVID-19.

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of O-Carbamoyl Tizoxanide Prodrugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi He ◽  
Wenjun Hu ◽  
Fanhua Meng ◽  
Xingzhou Li
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Systemic Exposure ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽  
Hydroxyl Group ◽  
First Pass

Background: The broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide (N) has been repositioned as a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. Nitazoxanide’s in vivo antiviral activities are mainly attributed to its metabolitetizoxanide, the deacetylation product of nitazoxanide. In reference to the pharmacokinetic profile of nitazoxanide, we proposed the hypotheses that the low plasma concentrations and the low system exposure of tizoxanide after dosing with nitazoxanide result from significant first pass effects in the liver. It was thought that this may be due to the unstable acyloxy bond of nitazoxanide. Objective: Tizoxanide prodrugs, with the more stable formamyl substituent attached to the hydroxyl group rather than the acetyl group of nitazoxanide, were designed with the thought that they might be more stable in plasma. It was anticipated that these prodrugs might be less affected by the first pass effect, which would improve plasma concentrations and system exposure of tizoxanide. Method: These O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs were synthesized and evaluated in a mouse model for pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and in an in vitro model for plasma stabilities. Results: The results indicated that the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of tizoxanide (T) after oral administration of O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs were much greater than that produced by equimolar dosage of nitazoxanide. It was also found that the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of tizoxanide glucuronide (TG) were much lower than that produced by nitazoxanide. Conclusion: Further analysis showed that the suitable plasma stability of O-carbamoyl tizoxanide prodrugs is the key factor in maximizing the plasma concentration and the systemic exposure of the active ingredient tizoxanide.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Expression Patterns of Rhoptry Kinases during the Eimeria tenella Life-Cycle

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1621
Author(s):  
Adeline Ribeiro E Silva ◽  
Alix Sausset ◽  
Françoise I. Bussière ◽  
Fabrice Laurent ◽  
Sonia Lacroix-Lamandé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Housekeeping Genes ◽  
Catalytic Triad ◽  
Eimeria Tenella ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
First And Second Generation

Kinome from apicomplexan parasites is composed of eukaryotic protein kinases and Apicomplexa specific kinases, such as rhoptry kinases (ROPK). Ropk is a gene family that is known to play important roles in host–pathogen interaction in Toxoplasma gondii but is still poorly described in Eimeria tenella, the parasite responsible for avian coccidiosis worldwide. In the E. tenella genome, 28 ropk genes are predicted and could be classified as active (n = 7), inactive (incomplete catalytic triad, n = 12), and non-canonical kinases (active kinase with a modified catalytic triad, n = 9). We characterized the ropk gene expression patterns by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, normalized by parasite housekeeping genes, during the E. tenella life-cycle. Analyzed stages were: non-sporulated oocysts, sporulated oocysts, extracellular and intracellular sporozoites, immature and mature schizonts I, first- and second-generation merozoites, and gametes. Transcription of all those predicted ropk was confirmed. The mean intensity of transcription was higher in extracellular stages and 7–9 ropk were specifically transcribed in merozoites in comparison with sporozoites. Transcriptional profiles of intracellular stages were closely related to each other, suggesting a probable common role of ROPKs in hijacking signaling pathways and immune responses in infected cells. These results provide a solid basis for future functional analysis of ROPK from E. tenella.

scholarly journals Computational Target-Based Drug Repurposing of Elbasvir, an Antiviral Drug Predicted to Bind Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Proteins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenakshisundaram Balasubramaniam ◽  
Robert Shmookler Reis
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Drug Targeting ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Investigational Drug ◽  
Docking Simulations ◽  
Investigational Drugs ◽  
Low Toxicity

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV). While no drugs have yet been approved to treat this disease, small molecules effective against other viral infections are under clinical evaluation for therapeutic abatement of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Ongoing clinical trials include Kaletra (a combination of two protease inhibitors approved for HIV treatment), remdesivir (an investigational drug targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [RdRP] of SARS-CoV-2), and hydroxychloroquine (an approved anti-malarial and immuno-modulatory drug). Since SARS-CoV-2 replication depends on three virally encoded proteins (RdRP, papain-like proteinase, and helicase), we screened 54 FDA-approved antiviral drugs and ~3300 investigational drugs for binding to these proteins using targeted and unbiased docking simulations and computational modeling. Elbasvir, a drug approved for treating hepatitis C, is predicted to bind stably and preferentially to all three proteins. At the therapeutic dosage, elbasvir has low toxicity (liver enzymes transiently elevated in 1% of subjects) and well-characterized drug-drug interactions. We predict that treatment with elbasvir, alone or in combination with other drugs such as grazoprevir, could efficiently block SARS-CoV-2 replication. The concerted action of elbasvir on at least three targets essential for viral replication renders viral mutation to drug resistance extremely unlikely.

scholarly journals Effect of the preparation Ingavirin® (imidazolyl ethanamide pentandioic acid) on the interferon status of cells under conditions of viral infection

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-205
Author(s):  
Thomas Aschacher ◽  
Artem Krokhin ◽  
Irina Kuznetsova ◽  
Johannes Langle ◽  
Vladimir Nebolsin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Theoretical Ground ◽  
Ns1 Protein ◽  
Interferon Inducer ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Interferon System

Ingavirin® (imidazolyl ethanamide pentandioic acid) is an original antiviral drug, which is used in Russia for treatment and profilaxis of influenza and other acute viral infections. We confirmed that imidazolyl ethanamide pentandioic acid (IEPA), not being interferon inducer itself, enhances synthesis of both interferon-a/fi receptors (IFNAR) to interferone and cell sensitivity to interferone signalling, which was suppressed by NS1 protein - pathogen factor of influenza virus. IEPA is able to promote antiviral effector proteins PKR and MxA in infected cells, in opposition to interferon system suppression by influenza virus. Theoretical ground of clinical efficacy of Ingavirine® could be confirmed by obtained data of influence to innate immune system during viral infection.

scholarly journals Non-Toxic Virucidal Macromolecules Show High Efficacy Against Influenza Virus Ex Vivo and In Vivo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgun Kocabiyik ◽  
Valeria Cagno ◽  
Paulo Jacob Silva ◽  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Laura Sedano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
New Class ◽  
Influenza Strain ◽  
Low Toxicity

AbstractInfluenza is one of the most widespread viral infections worldwide and represents a major public health problem. The risk that one of the next pandemics is caused by an influenza strain is very high. It is very important to develop broad-spectrum influenza antivirals to be ready for any possible vaccine shortcomings. Anti-influenza drugs are available but they are far from ideal. Arguably, an ideal antiviral should target conserved viral domains and be virucidal, i.e. irreversibly inhibit viral infectivity. Here, we describe a new class of broad-spectrum anti-influenza macromolecules that meets these criteria and displays exceedingly low toxicity. These compounds are based on a cyclodextrin core modified on its primary face with long hydrophobic linkers terminated in 6’sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (6’SLN) or 3’SLN. SLN enables nanomolar inhibition of the viruses while the hydrophobic linkers confer irreversibility to the inhibition. The combination of these two properties allows for efficacy in vitro against several human or avian influenza strains, as well as against a 2009 pandemic influenza strain ex vivo. Importantly, we show that, in mice, the compounds provide therapeutic efficacy when administered 24h post-infection allowing 90% survival as opposed to no survival for the placebo and oseltamivir..

Glucuronidation of the broad-spectrum antiviral drug arbidol by UGT isoforms

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hui Song ◽  
Zhong-Ze Fang ◽  
Liang-Liang Zhu ◽  
Yun-Feng Cao ◽  
Cui-Min Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antiviral Drug

NITD-688, a pan-serotype inhibitor of the dengue virus NS4B protein, shows favorable pharmacokinetics and efficacy in preclinical animal models

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (579) ◽  
pp. eabb2181
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Moquin ◽  
Oliver Simon ◽  
Ratna Karuna ◽  
Suresh B. Lakshminarayana ◽  
Fumiaki Yokokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Log Reduction ◽  
Elimination Half ◽  
Preclinical Animal Models

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that poses a threat to public health, yet no antiviral drug is available. We performed a high-throughput phenotypic screen using the Novartis compound library and identified candidate chemical inhibitors of DENV. This chemical series was optimized to improve properties such as anti-DENV potency and solubility. The lead compound, NITD-688, showed strong potency against all four serotypes of DENV and demonstrated excellent oral efficacy in infected AG129 mice. There was a 1.44-log reduction in viremia when mice were treated orally at 30 milligrams per kilogram twice daily for 3 days starting at the time of infection. NITD-688 treatment also resulted in a 1.16-log reduction in viremia when mice were treated 48 hours after infection. Selection of resistance mutations and binding studies with recombinant proteins indicated that the nonstructural protein 4B is the target of NITD-688. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats and dogs showed a long elimination half-life and good oral bioavailability. Extensive in vitro safety profiling along with exploratory rat and dog toxicology studies showed that NITD-688 was well tolerated after 7-day repeat dosing, demonstrating that NITD-688 may be a promising preclinical candidate for the treatment of dengue.

scholarly journals Yellow Fever Virus Down-Regulates mRNA Expression of SOCS1 in the Initial Phase of Infection in Human Cell Lines

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 802
Author(s):  
Michael B. Yakass ◽  
David Franco ◽  
Osbourne Quaye
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Yellow Fever ◽  
Yellow Fever Virus ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Interferon Β ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Insight Into

Flaviviruses are constantly evolving diverse immune evasion strategies, and the exploitation of the functions of suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) and protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS) to favour virus replication has been described for Dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses but not for yellow fever virus (YFV), which is still of global importance despite the existence of an effective vaccine. Some mechanisms that YFV employs to evade host immune defence has been reported, but the expression patterns of SOCS and PIAS in infected cells is yet to be determined. Here, we show that SOCS1 is down-regulated early in YFV-infected HeLa and HEK 293T cells, while SOCS3 and SOCS5 are not significantly altered, and PIAS mRNA expression appears to follow a rise-dip pattern akin to circadian-controlled genes. We also demonstrate that YFV evades interferon-β application to produce comparable viral titres. This report provides initial insight into the in vitro expression dynamics of SOCS and PIAS upon YFV infection and a basis for further investigation into SOCS/PIAS expression and how these modulate the immune response in animal models.

Ångstrom‐Scale Silver Particles as a Promising Agent for Low‐Toxicity Broad‐Spectrum Potent Anticancer Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (23) ◽  
pp. 1808556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen‐Xing Wang ◽  
Chun‐Yuan Chen ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Fu‐Xing‐Zi Li ◽  
Jie Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Anticancer Therapy ◽  
Silver Particles ◽  
Promising Agent ◽  
Low Toxicity

Epigenetic compound screening uncovers small molecules for re-activation of latent HIV-1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Zutz ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Franziska Sippl ◽  
Christian Schölz
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Compound Screening ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Immunological Destruction ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Latent Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

AbstractDuring infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), latent reservoirs are established, which circumvent full eradication of the virus by antiretroviral therapy (ART) and are the source for viral rebound after cessation of therapy. As these reservoirs are phenotypically undistinguishable from infected cells, current strategies aim to reactivate these reservoirs, followed by pharmaceutical and immunological destruction of the cells.Here, we employed a simple and convenient cell-based reporter system, which enables sample handling under biosafety level (BSL)-1 conditions, to screen for compounds that were able to reactivate latent HIV-1. The assay showed a high dynamic signal range and reproducibility with an average Z-factor of 0.77, classifying the system as robust. The assay was used for high-throughput screening (HTS) of an epigenetic compound library in combination with titration and cell-toxicity studies and revealed several potential new latency reversing agents (LRAs). Further validation in well-known latency model systems verified earlier studies and identified two novel compounds with very high reactivation efficiency and low toxicity. Both drugs, namely N-hydroxy-4-(2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)(phenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl)benzamide (HPOB) and 2',3'-difluoro-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carboxylic acid, 2-butylhydrazide (SR-4370), showed comparable performances to other already known LRAs, did not activate CD4+ T-cells or caused changes in the composition of PBMCs as shown by flow cytometry analyses.Both compounds may represent an effective new treatment possibility for revocation of latency in HIV-1 infected individuals.

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