Anti-HIV and anti-HCMV Activities of New Aurintricarboxylic Acid Analogues

A variety of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) polymer analogues were prepared by substituting certain salicylic acid derivatives and carbonyl compounds for salicylic acid and formaldehyde in the ATA polymerization reaction. The new polymers were evaluated for prevention of the cytopathic effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2) in MT-4 cell culture, HIV-1 in CEM cell culture, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in HEL cell culture. The abilities of the analogues to inhibit syncytium formation between HIV-1- or HIV-2-infected HUT-78 cells and uninfected MOLT-4 cells were also evaluated. Several of the new analogues were found to be equipotent with ATA and dextran sulfate against HIV-1, HIV-2 and HCMV. The anti-HIV potencies of the new substances paralleled their activities against HCMV. The antiviral activities of the new analogues probably result from inhibition of virion binding to the cell membrane.