Synthesis and anti-picornavirus activity of homo-isoflavonoids

Abstract

Substituted homo-isoflavonoids were synthesized in order to study their in vitro anti-picornavirus activity. The maximum non-toxic concentration of the compounds for susceptible cells (Hela) was determined, and the ability of non-cytotoxic concentrations to interfere with plaque formation by human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14 and poliovirus (PV) 2 was examined. All the tested compounds were weakly effective against PV-2, while they exhibited a variable degree of activity against HRV-1B and -14 infection. Serotype 1B was much more sensitive than 14 to the action of the compounds, and the presence of one or more chlorine atoms increased the antiviral effect in all homoisoflavonoids tested, confirming the positive influence of this substituent on activity.