Abstract
Derivatives of flavan have been synthesized as chemical intermediates, but the only reported biological action is the ability of certain alkyl and alkoxy derivatives to lower blood cholesterol concentrations1. It was therefore surprising to discover that flavan itself (Table 1) is a highly effective inhibitor of the replication of certain serotypes of rhinovirus, and that a simple derivative, BW683C (4′,6-dichloroflavan), is the most potent antiviral compound yet reported. The present work examines the antiviral activity of flavan derivatives with a view to selecting the compound most suitable for trial in volunteers infected with a common cold virus.
References
- 1.US Patent No. 3,555,047 (1971).
- 2.Robertson, A., Venkateswarlu, V. & Whalley, W. B. J. chem. Soc., 3137–3142 (1954).
- 3.Clark-Lewis, J. W., Jemison, R. W., Skingle, D. C. & Williams, L. R. Chem. Ind., 1455–1456 (1967).
- 4.Jurd, L. Chem. Ind., 2175–2176 (1967).
- 5.Hultzsch K. J. prakt. Chem. 1941;158:275–294. doi: 10.1002/prac.19411580905. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
- 6.Rada BB, Blaškovič D, Šorm F, Škoda J. Experientia. 1960;16:487. doi: 10.1007/BF02158350. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7.Herrmann EC. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 1961;107:142–145. doi: 10.3181/00379727-107-26560. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8.Fiala M, Kenny GE. J. Bact. 1966;92:1710–1715. doi: 10.1128/jb.92.6.1710-1715.1966. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 9.Scamans, E. M. thesis, Univ. London (1974).
- 10.Roebuck MO. J. Hyg. Camb. 1976;76:137–146. doi: 10.1017/S0022172400055029. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 11.Ames BN, McCann J, Yamasaki E. Mutat. Res. 1975;31:347–364. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(75)90046-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]