Sulphated Polymers are Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Various Enveloped Viruses, Including Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Toga-, Arena- and Retroviruses

The sulphated polymers, such as polyvinylalcohol sulphate (PVAS) and its co-polymer with acrylic acid (PAVAS), have proved to be potent inhibitors for herpes simplex virus, human cytomegalovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus, respiratory syncytial virus, Sindbis virus, Semliki Forest virus, Junin virus, Tacaribe virus, murine sarcoma virus and human immunodeficiency virus. They are not inhibitory to non-enveloped viruses, such as poliovirus and reovirus. The broad-spectrum antiviral effects of these compounds depend on their molecular weight and degree of sulphation. Pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits have indicated that after intravenous bolus injection the serum concentrations of these compounds decay biphasically, with an initial half-life of approximately 90–120 min.