Exploration of acetanilide derivatives of 1-(ω-phenoxyalkyl)uracils as novel inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus replication

Sci Rep. 2016 Jul 12:6:29487. doi: 10.1038/srep29487.

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem worldwide. While highly efficacious directly-acting antiviral agents have been developed in recent years, their high costs and relative inaccessibility make their use limited. Here, we describe new 1-(ω-phenoxyalkyl)uracils bearing acetanilide fragment in 3 position of pyrimidine ring as potential antiviral drugs against HCV. Using a combination of various biochemical assays and in vitro virus infection and replication models, we show that our compounds are able to significantly reduce viral genomic replication, independently of virus genotype, with their IC50 values in the nanomolar range. We also demonstrate that our compounds can block de novo RNA synthesis and that effect is dependent on a chemical structure of the compounds. A detailed structure-activity relationship revealed that the most active compounds were the N(3)-substituted uracil derivatives containing 6-(4-bromophenoxy)hexyl or 8-(4-bromophenoxy)octyl fragment at N(1) position.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetanilides / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Uracil / pharmacology*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Acetanilides
  • Antiviral Agents
  • RNA, Viral
  • Uracil