Development of low-cost alternative antiviral drugs for Influenza Viruses
Session VII – Agarwal, A – YI applicant
Title of Contribution: Development of low-cost alternative antiviral drugs for Influenza Viruses.
Author(s): Anurodh S Agarwal1, Mehuli Sarkar1, Rakhi Dey1, D. Chattopadhyay 2 and M. Chawla-Sarkar1
Affiliation(s): 1Division of Virology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33 CIT Road Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010,India and 2 ICMR Virus Unit, ID& BG Hospital Campus, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India
Abstract:
Influenza is a serious medical problem in all parts of the world. Currently, several antiviral compounds are available for the treatment of influenza viruses, but these drugs are not very cost effective to exploit in developing countries like India. Moreover the genetic variability and rapid formation of mutants has resulted in loss of protective effects of current antivirals designed against virus surface antigens. Thus, the efforts are underway to develop new low cost antiviral drugs which will reduce the morbidity and mortality of influenza caused infection. During the screening for anti influenza drugs, Povidone–iodine (PVP-I), an antiseptic with antimicrobial activity showed reduction in cytopathic effects and Influenza virus titers in MDCK cell line. Influenza-A viral titer was reduced upto 70-80% when treated with 0.5µg-1 µg/ml of PVP-I for 6-8 hr after infection, as confirmed by Hemaggluttination (HA) test and real time RT-PCR assay. To assess the mechanism of action of PVP-I, effect on PVP-I on Influenza Virus induced cellular signaling pathways was assessed. PVP-I inhibits Influenza virus induced proinflammatory cytokines like IL-8 and TNF-alpha resulting in reduction of cytopathic effects. These results confirm that low cost anti-Influenza drugs can be developed from common anti-microbial and generic drugs used currently for treatment of other diseases. This could result in reduction of cost and time required for doing preclinical toxicology study trials.
