Abstract
Herein, we have investigated novel pyrimidine nucleosides bearing a 4’-carboxyl functionality (6-10, 13 and 15) as anti-HCV agents. In this new class of compounds, 7, 9, 10 and 15 demonstrated in vitro anti-HCV activity similar to or better than a known anti-HCV drug, ribavirin. In this work, we also, surprisingly, identified a 3’-sulfoxide analog of 3’-thiacytidine (16), obtained as a side product during the synthesis of 15, as a potent inhibitor of HCV replication at the concentration similar to that of ribavirin. No detectable in vitro cytotoxicity was observed for the investigated compounds up to the highest concentration tested.
Keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Anti-HCV effect, Synthesis, Nucleosides.
Graphical Abstract
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