Comparison of the Antiviral Effects of Naturally Occurring Thiophenes and Polyacetylenes

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Abstract
Five naturally occurring compounds, containing various thiophene and polyacetylene groups, were compared with respect to their phototoxic activities against two animal viruses, murine cytomegalovirus and Sindbis virus, both of which possess membranes. α-Terthienyl was extremely toxic to both viruses, but only in the presence of long wave ultraviolet radiation. The order of potency was α-terthienyl > thiarubrine-A > phenylheptatriyne ≈ ACBP-thiophene > thiophene-A (hydrolysis product of thiarubrine A). The murine-CMV, which had been inactivated by any of these compounds, was still capable of penetrating cultured mouse cells efficiently and reaching the cell nucleus, the normal site of virus replication. The results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of action of phototoxic thiophenes and polyacetylenes.