Acta Pharm. 65 (2015) 75-81

full paper

Short communication

Effect of 1-(phenyl)-N’-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carbohydrazide on in vitropoliovirus replication

PATRICIA R. SANTOS, ANELISE. S. NAZARI FORMAGIO, BENEDITO PRADO DIAS FILHO, CELSO VATARU NAKAMURA, MARIA HELENA SARRAGIOTTO and TANIA UEDA-NAKAMURA

tunakamura@uem.br

¹ Post-Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Maringá, 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil

² Post-Graduate Program in Chemistry, State University of Maringá, 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil

Accepted October 12, 2014

The effect of the alkaloid, 1-(phenyl)-N’-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carbohydrazide (PMC)on poliovirus (PV) replication cycle in Vero cells was assayed by inhibition of the cytopathic effect (CPE) and inhibition of plaque forming units (PFU). Both methodologies suggested that the mode of action was avoidance of infection progression in the host cell. The compound was able to prevent CPE and PFU formation when the cells were pretreated with PMC for 24 h prior to PV infection. In addition, when the alkaloid was continuously maintained in the infected cultures, the spread of PV to adjacent cells was impaired. The pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylactic applications are possible situations in which an anti-PV drug might be used. Future studies are needed to elucidate the PMC mode of action and verify the feasibility of PMC use of in vivo. No antipicornavirus agent is currently approved for clinical use.

Keywords: 1-(phenyl)-N’-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carbohydrazide,beta-carboline, poliovirus, antiviral activity