Thiazolidines: Potential anti-viral agents against avian influenza and ‎infectious bronchitis viruses

Viral outbreaks are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in livestock and human populations. Lack of good vaccines and poor control measures along with natural viral genetic drifting and shifting are the common causes of new viral strains and outbreaks. The current study reports the synthesis of some ۲-aryl substituted thiazolidine-۴-carboxylic acids ۱a-h and their ۳-acetyl ۲a and ۳-benzoyl derivatives ۳a. Two important poultry viruses: Avian influenza virus (AIV; A/Chicken/Italy/۱۹۹۴/H۹N۲) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were selected, grown in ‎۹-۱۱ days old chicken embryonated eggs‎, and subjected to in ovo anti-viral assays. Most of the synthesized compounds were found active against AIV subtype H۹N۲ and IBV. In the case of AIV, the best results were attained for compound ۱d which showed an IC۵۰ value of ۳.۴۷ µM, while IBV ۱c showed IC۵۰ valueof۴.۱۰ µM. The lower IC۵۰ values of these compounds correlate with the high potency of these compounds, especially in comparison with control groups. The standard drugs amantadine and ribavarin were used as positive controls in the case of AIV and IBV, respectively. Better results were obtained with ۲-aryl substituted thiazolidine-۴-carboxylic acids ۱a-h compared to their N-acylated derivatives ۲a and ۳a against both viruses. In conclusion, this preliminary data support the idea that thiazolidine carboxylic acids could be used as anti-viral drugs against AIV and IBV infections.

Keywords:

‎۱ , ۳-thiazolidine-۴- carboxylic acids , ‎ Anti-viral activity , ‎ Anti-viral inhibitors , ‎ N-acylation ‎