title: Anti-HSV activity of camptothecin analogues.
abstract: In order to explore the range of biological activities of the camptothecin compound class, the in vitro antiviral efficacies of series I-IV of representative members from camptothecin analogues on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were evaluated on vero cells. Several compounds exhibited similar or better antiviral activity against HSV-2 in vitro than acyclovir. Among them, compound 6 showed the highest anti-HSV-2 activity, with IC(50) values of 1.3 microg mL(-1) and SI values of 27.04, respectively. On the basis of preliminary biological testing results, it is suggested that the intact E lactone ring and 20-hydroxy group should be not a prerequisite for camptothecin-like antiviral activity, and CPT substitution at the C-20 hydroxy group may be optimal for synthesising more potent antiviral compounds, suggesting that CPT has the potential to be a lead structure for semi-synthetic antiviral agents.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
authors.forename: Ying-Qian
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhen-Ling
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015394:Molecular Structure; D014709:Vero Cells
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002166:Camptothecin