The Antiviral Drug Arbidol Inhibits Zika Virus

Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 12;8(1):8989. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27224-4.

Abstract

There are many emerging and re-emerging globally prevalent viruses for which there are no licensed vaccines or antiviral medicines. Arbidol (ARB, umifenovir), used clinically for decades in several countries as an anti-influenza virus drug, inhibits many other viruses. In the current study, we show that ARB inhibits six different isolates of Zika virus (ZIKV), including African and Asian lineage viruses in multiple cell lines and primary human vaginal and cervical epithelial cells. ARB protects against ZIKV-induced cytopathic effects. Time of addition studies indicate that ARB is most effective at suppressing ZIKV when added to cells prior to infection. Moreover, ARB inhibits pseudoviruses expressing the ZIKV Envelope glycoprotein. Thus, ARB, a broadly acting anti-viral agent with a well-established safety profile, inhibits ZIKV, likely by blocking viral entry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism
  • Zika Virus / metabolism*
  • Zika Virus Infection* / drug therapy
  • Zika Virus Infection* / pathology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Indoles
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • umifenovir