The antiviral action of lignans

A total of 18 purified lignans was evaluated for antiviral activity against murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Sindbis virus, by means of different treatment regimens. Podophyllotoxin and alpha-peltatin were the most potent compounds, and they apparently inhibited murine CMV at an essential early step in the replication cycle after the adsorption of virus to the cells. On the other hand, justicidin B and the diphyllin derivatives were much more effective against Sindbis virus, and 12 of the lignans had no demonstrable effect at all, despite their known activities in other bioassays.