Anti-Herpes Virus Activity of Aporphine Alkaloids

Abstract

We evaluated, in cell cultures, the action of a series of 19 aporphine alkaloids against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). On the basis of viral titre reduction, six alkaloids were found to be active. The mode of action of the three most potent inhibitors, oliverine HCl, pachystaudine, and oxostephanine, was studied. These compounds did not have any virucidal or prophylactic effect but they were shown to interfere with the viral replicative cycle. Although DNA synthesis was reduced, their exact target remains to be elucidated. In the discussion, some structure-activity relationships are considered.

Anticancer and antiviral activities of Youngia japonica (L.) DC (Asteraceae, Compositae)

“…The virus titer was estimated from cytopathogenicity of cells induced by viral infection and expressed as 50% tissue culture infectious doses/mL (TCID 50 /mL) (Montanha et al, 1995).…”

Evaluation of the antiherpetic activity of standardized extracts of Achyrocline satureioides

“…These experiments were conducted to determine if N 1 , N 2 and N 3 extracts inhibited HSV-1 replication by affecting virus adsorption or penetration. This assay was similar to that used by Montanha et al (1995) and Simões et al (1999a). Cell monolayers were pretreated with each extract at concentrations equal to or less than their estimated CC 50 values for 3 h or 24 h at 37°C prior to virus infection.…”

Sampangine Inhibits Heme Biosynthesis in both Yeast and Human

“…In particular, its potency against various human fungal pathogens in vitro is comparable to the potencies of existing antifungal drugs (1). Other analogs of the same aporphine family of alkaloids have also been shown to exhibit antiproliferation activities against viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and tumor cell lines (7,8,17,24,34,36). However, the mechanism of action exhibited by sampangine and its analogs in both cancer cells and human pathogens remains unclear.…”