Iminosugars: Promising therapeutics for influenza infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Drug Discovery
• Carbohydrate Chemistry

Background:

• Influenza virus causes millions of severe respiratory infections annually, posing a global health threat.
• Existing antiviral drugs target viral neuraminidase or M2 ion channels, but drug resistance is a growing concern.
• Host-targeted antiviral strategies are being explored to overcome drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of iminosugars as broad-spectrum antiviral agents against influenza.
• To explore iminosugars as a host-targeted therapeutic strategy to combat drug resistance.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of iminosugars as anti-influenza drugs.

Main Methods:

• Investigated iminosugars, which are hydroxylated carbohydrate mimics, for their antiviral properties.
• Examined the inhibition of influenza virus glycoproteins (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) by iminosugars.
• Conducted in vitro and in vivo studies to assess the impact of iminosugars on viral production and infectivity.

Main Results:

• Certain iminosugars inhibit endoplasmic reticulum α-glucosidases, leading to reduced influenza virion production and infectivity.
• Demonstrated broad-spectrum antiviral potential of iminosugars against influenza virus in experimental studies.
• Observed strain-specific effects and potential inhibition of other host and viral targets.

Conclusions:

• Iminosugars represent a promising class of compounds for developing novel anti-influenza therapeutics.
• Their potential as orally available, low cytotoxicity drugs warrants further investigation.
• Recent advances with nojirimycin derivatives highlight the renewed therapeutic potential of iminosugars.