Evaluation of a novel, anti-herpes simplex virus compound, acyclovir elaidate (P-4010), in the female guinea pig model of genital herpes

The antiviral effect of acyclovir elaidate in the female guinea pig model o f genital herpes was investigated in a series of experiments. The antiherpe svirus effects of this novel compound, 9-(2'- [trans-9"-octadecenoyloxyl] e thoxymethyl)guanine (code no, P-4010), were studied in both primary and rec urrent genital herpes in the female guinea pig, following oral gavage or in traperitoneal injection, with different formulations of the compound, and i n comparison with acyclovir (ACV) or penciclovir (PCV), The results indicat e that compound P-4010 has a greater capability than either ACV or PCV in r educing the clinical symptoms of primary genital herpes induced following t he inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) intravaginally into g uinea pigs, In addition, the administration of P-4010 twice daily over a 10 -day period bg the intraperitoneal route (15 to 40 mg/kg of body weight/day ) or by oral gavage (50 to 200 mg/kg/day), commencing 4 h subsequent to int ravaginal HSV-2 infection, resulted in a degree of reduction in the inciden ce and severity of spontaneous, recurrent genital herpes in these animals. The findings are discussed in the light of the value and relevance of the f emale guinea pig model of genital herpes for the assessment of anti-herpes simplex virus compounds.