Synthesis, evaluation and structure-activity relationship studies of pterodontic acid acylated derivatives with anti-flu A virus (H1N1) activity in vitro

Abstract

In order to develop antiviral drugs, we utilized pterodontic acid (Poa-1) as a lead compound and conducted various modifications, including oxidation, reduction, addition, esterification, and acylation, resulting in the synthesis of 29 derivatives, of which 25 were novel acylation derivatives. Cell-level validation demonstrated that 4 derivatives exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the influenza A virus (H1N1), with an IC50 = 4.04–36.13 μM. Notably, four acylation derivatives (compounds IIE5, IIE6, IIE9, and IIE17) exhibited specific antiviral activities against influenza A virus (H1N1) with low cytotoxicity, indicating favorable therapeutic indices (SI = 3.5–11.9). Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that C5–C6 olefins are essential groups for antiviral activity, C11–C12 conjugated olefins will not interfere with antiviral activity. Carboxylic acid is an essential group for activity. Moreover，Carboxylic acid acylation can improve antiviral activity, and the inclusion of guanidine, cyclic amine, and phenyl groups with electron-donating substituents could enhance the antiviral activity of the lead compound. Natural products structural modifications are capable of improving the biological activity of lead compounds, offering a rapid pathway for the development of potent new structures.