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Search for SARS therapy
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Published: | May 26, 2004 |
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We tested a number of commercially available compounds with proven antiviral, antitumour, and /or immunosuppressive activity for their influence on SARS-Coronavirus (SCV) replication. Glycyrrhizin inhibited SCV infection at different steps of virus infectious cycle. Of twelve structurally modified glycyrrhizin derivatives, two were found to be about 10-fold more potent than the parental drug. Ribavirin inhibited SCV replication in MA-104 and Caco-2 cells but not in Vero cells at clinical achievable concentrations (5-50 µg/ml). Type I interferons (IFNs) (α, β) had a higher anti-SCV activity than IFN-γ, with IFN-β being the most effective IFN. Combination of IFN-β and ribavirin inhibited SCV replication synergistically. Hydrocortisone did not influence SCV replication. However, high concentrations of hydrocortisone reverted SCV-induced up-regulation of proinflammatory genes and prevented activation of proinflammatory transcription factors.