Encapsulation of adefovir bis(l-leucine propyl)ester pro-virucide in cucurbit[7]uril and its activity against tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract

The interaction of cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) with a pro-virucide, adefovir bis(l-leucine propyl)ester (PMEA-Leu) in aqueous solutions and in solid state was studied by 1H NMR, UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence and IR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR revealed that the leucine propyl moiety of the compound could be entrapped in the cavity of the host Q[7], and the other moiety except for leucine propyl moieties, including aminopurine, was probably located at the portal area of Q[7]. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy proved that the interaction of Q[7] with PMEA-Leu led to the formation of host–guest inclusion complexes (2:1) that were controlled by the concentration of the host Q[7]. Formation of the inclusion complex between Q[7] and PMEA-Leu was confirmed by IR spectroscopy in solid state. In addition, deliquescent stability studies indicated that the moisture stability of the host–guest complex was significantly enhanced. The phenomenon was explained by the fact that the formation of solid inclusion complexes can prevent the compounds from absorbing water. Finally, bioactivity of PMEA-Leu and its inclusion complex against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was tested. The compound PMEA-Leu and its inclusion complexes showed some inhibitory activity against TMV at 500 μg/ml in vivo.