ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF A DERIVATIVE OF THE PHOTOSENSITIVE COMPOUND HYPERICIN

Eight synthetic compounds related to the photosensitive antiviral quin onic plant compound hypericin were screened for light-mediated antivir al activity. The compound 2,5,9,12-tetra(carboxyethylthiomethyl) hyper icin was found to have activity against membrane-enveloped Sindbis vir us and murine cytomegalovirus but not against the non-enveloped poliov irus. The activity of this compound was investigated in more detail. T he mechanism of action appeared to be of the photosensitive singlet ox ygen type and the activity could be reduced by the presence of a singl et oxygen quencher molecule. The membrane proteins of Sindbis virus we re found not to be altered by treatment with this compound or hyperici n, although the derivative did affect the electrophoretic mobility of the capsid protein.