Novel Antiviral Activities of Obatoclax, Emetine, Niclosamide, Brequinar, and Homoharringtonine

Viruses. 2019 Oct 18;11(10):964. doi: 10.3390/v11100964.

Abstract

Viruses are the major causes of acute and chronic infectious diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization, there is an urgent need for better control of viral diseases. Repurposing existing antiviral agents from one viral disease to another could play a pivotal role in this process. Here, we identified novel activities of obatoclax and emetine against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), echovirus 1 (EV1), human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in cell cultures. Moreover, we demonstrated novel activities of emetine against influenza A virus (FLUAV), niclosamide against HSV-2, brequinar against human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), and homoharringtonine against EV1. Our findings may expand the spectrum of indications of these safe-in-man agents and reinforce the arsenal of available antiviral therapeutics pending the results of further in vitro and in vivo tests.

Keywords: antiviral agent; broad-spectrum antiviral; drug target; systems biology; virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dogs
  • Emetine / pharmacology
  • Enterovirus B, Human / drug effects
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects
  • Homoharringtonine / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Indoles
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Niclosamide / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy
  • Viruses / classification
  • Viruses / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • brequinar
  • Homoharringtonine
  • Niclosamide
  • obatoclax
  • Emetine