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Effect of isoprinosine against influenza and some other viruses causing respiratory diseases
Abstract:
The antiviral activity of isoprinosine was tested in tissue cultures and mice. In tissue cultures, concentrations of 25 to 100 mug/ml inhibited the infectivity of influenza and herpes hominis viruses but not parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, or adenovirus. Among different strains of influenza A, there was considerable variability in the inhibitory concentration of isoprinosine. For influenza B, a zone effect was observed in the inhibitory drug concentration. Oral prophylactic administration of isoprinosine beginning 24 hr before infection with an intermediate challenge dose of influenza A and continued as treatment for 5 days produced a significant reduction in mortality. No protection was provided against a high dose challenge. Oral or intraperitoneal treatment of mice beginning 24 hr after infection with influenza A or B viruses significantly delayed or prevented death when the drug was administered for 10 days, but not when treatment was limited to 4 days. An increased fatality rate which occurred in treated mice given a virus dose of low lethality could not be attributed to drug toxicity.
Insights
Isoprinosine demonstrated antiviral activity against influenza and herpes viruses in cell cultures. In mice, isoprinosine reduced mortality from influenza A when given prophylactically and therapeutically, but efficacy depended on dosage and duration.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Isoprinosine is an antiviral agent.
- Influenza and herpes viruses cause significant human illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiviral activity of isoprinosine against various viruses in vitro and in vivo.
- To determine the efficacy of isoprinosine in a murine model of influenza infection.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing of isoprinosine against influenza, herpes hominis, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, and adenovirus in tissue cultures.
- In vivo studies involving oral and intraperitoneal administration of isoprinosine to mice infected with influenza A or B viruses.
Main Results:
- Isoprinosine inhibited influenza and herpes hominis viruses in vitro, with variable efficacy against different influenza A strains.
- Prophylactic and therapeutic isoprinosine administration in mice reduced mortality from influenza A, with optimal results observed with longer treatment durations (10 days).
- No protection was observed against high-dose influenza challenge, and no drug toxicity was evident.
Conclusions:
- Isoprinosine exhibits antiviral properties against specific viruses in vitro and can reduce mortality in a murine influenza model.
- The efficacy of isoprinosine is dependent on the virus type, challenge dose, and treatment duration.