Antiviral activity of 1,7-disulphoanthraquinone

The antiviral activity of 1,7-disulphoanthraquinone (DSA) against hepatitis B viruses was investigated by measuring the titer of HBV surface antigen in the treated serum obtained from the blood of patients with acute infection. The presence of HBsAg was tested by the Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS). The concentration of DSA in the samples was equal to 0.01, 0.1 and 1%, respectively. The results presented clearly showed an extensive disintegration of the virus envelope at elevated temperatures, which resulted in a substantial decrease in the concentration of HBsAg in the serum containing DSA. The concentration of HBsAg decreased also upon UV irradiation of the serum containing DSA in a photochemical reactor for 5 to 15 min, but the effect of degradation was not complete.