HIGH INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN HALOGENATED RIBOFURANOSYLBENZIMIDAZOLES ON INFLUENZA B VIRUS MULTIPLICATION

Abstract

Examination of a series of chloro, bromo, and iodo derivatives of benzimi-dazole and of ribofuranosylbenzimidazole revealed no marked differences among these compounds in inhibitory activity on influenza B virus multiplication referable to the type of halogen substituent present in the benzenoid ring. The beta-linked ribofuranosides were considerably more active and selective than the alpha-linked derivatives. The selectivity of beta-D-ribofuranosides of benzimidazole containing bromine substituents in the benzenoid ring was similar to that shown by corresponding chloro derivatives. 5-(or 6-)Bromo-4,6-(or 5,7-)dichloro-l-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole caused 75% inhibition of Lee virus multiplication in the chorioallantoic membrane in vitro at a concentration of 1.8 x 10-6M or 0.72 [mu]g/ml. As an inhibitor of Lee virus multiplication, this compound is 1950 times more active and about 10 times more selective than unsubstituted benzimidazole.