Design, synthesis and antiviral evaluation of triazole-linked 7-hydroxycoumarin–monoterpene conjugates as inhibitors of RSV replication

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in babies across the world. Irrespective of progress in the development of RSV vaccines, effective small molecule drugs are still not available on the market. Based on our previous data we designed and synthesized triazole-linked coumarin–monoterpene hybrids and showed that they are indeed effective in inhibiting the RSV replication. The most effective compounds are active against both RSV serotypes, A and B, with IC₅₀ in the low micromolar or submicromolar range of concentrations. These are the most active coumarin derivatives found so far. Compound 45 combining 3,7-dimethyloctane and cyclopentane-annealed coumarin fragments has a selectivity index of 160 for serotype A and 1147 for serotype B. According to the results of the time-of-addition experiments, the conjugates are active at the early stages of the virus cycle. Based on biological evaluation and molecular modeling data, RSV F protein is a possible target.