Antibiotic minocycline prevents respiratory syncytial virus infection

Abstract

Treatment drugs, besides their specific activity, often have multiple effects on the body. The undesired effect of the drug may be repurposed as therapeutics, saving significant investigative time and effort. Minocycline has anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Presently, minocycline is also known to show anti-viral activity against Influenza virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Simian immunodeficiency virus, Human immunodeficiency virus and West Nile virus. Here, we investigate the effect of minocycline on Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common respiratory virus that causes severe mortality and morbidity in infants, children, and older adult populations. Currently, there is no effective vaccine or treatment for RSV infection; hence, there is a critical need for alternative and effective drug choices. Our study shows that minocycline reduces the RSV-mediated cytopathic effect and prevents RSV infection. This is the first study demonstrating the anti-viral activity of minocycline against RSV.