Planta Med 1986; 52(6): 453-457
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969252
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of the Antiviral Effects of Naturally Occurring Thiophenes and Polyacetylenes

J. B. Hudson1 , E. A. Graham1 , G. Chan2 , A. J. Finlayson2 , G. H. N. Towers2
  • 1Division of Medical Microbiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1W5.
  • 2Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1W5.
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Publication History

1985

Publication Date:
26 February 2007 (online)

Abstract

Five naturally occurring compounds, containing various thiophene and polyacetylene groups, were compared with respect to their phototoxic activities against two animal viruses, murine cytomegalovirus and Sindbis virus, both of which possess membranes. α-Terthienyl was extremely toxic to both viruses, but only in the presence of long wave ultraviolet radiation. The order of potency was α-terthienyl > thiarubrine-A > phenylheptatriyne ≈ ACBP-thiophene > thiophene-A (hydrolysis product of thiarubrine A). The murine-CMV, which had been inactivated by any of these compounds, was still capable of penetrating cultured mouse cells efficiently and reaching the cell nucleus, the normal site of virus replication. The results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of action of phototoxic thiophenes and polyacetylenes.

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