Antiviral activity of Wratizolin

Wratizolin, the new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was found to inhibit the replication of Herpes simplex, type 1 and 2, viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) in vitro. The selectivity of the antiviral action is low because the drug disturbs cellular metabolism. Wratizolin at the relatively low concentration (37 micrograms/ml) inactivates partially purified HSV-2 after incubation for 30 min at 37 degrees. The addition of albumin to the reaction mixture inhibits the virucidal activity of the drug. Wratizolin has little if any effect on the production and action of interferon. The drug used topically as 2% solution in dimethylsulfoxide inhibits the evolution of lesions induced in the guinea pig skin by HSV-2. However, the drug did not prevent the replication of HSV-2 in the guinea pig skin.