Acridine derivatives as anti-BVDV agents

Twenty-six 9-aminoacridine derivatives were evaluated in cell-based assays for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a panel of 10 RNA and DNA viruses. While seven compounds ( 9, 10, 14, 19, 21, 22, 24) did not affect any virus and two ( 6, 11) were moderately active against CVB-5 or Reo-1, 17 compounds exhibited a marked specific activity against BVDV, prototype of pestiviruses which are responsible for severe diseases of livestock. Most anti-BVDV agents showed EC 50 values in the range 0.1–8 μM, thus comparing favorably with the reference drugs ribavirine and NM 108. Some compounds, particularly those bearing a quinolizidinylalkyl side chain, displayed pronounced cytotoxicity. Further studies are warranted in order to achieve still better anti-BVDV agents, and to explore the potential antiproliferative activity of this kind of compounds.