Synthesis of stilbene derivatives with inhibition of SARS coronavirus replication

Abstract

Stilbene derivatives have wide range of activities. In an effort to find other potential activities of this kind of compounds, 17 derivatives, including resveratrol, were synthesized. Twelve of them were evaluated for their antiviral potential against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-induced cytopathicity in Vero E6 cell culture. The result showed that SARS virus was totally inhibited by compounds 17 and 19 (<or=0.5 mg ml(-1)) and no significant cytotoxic effects were observed in vitro.

Graphical abstract

Scheme 1

Synthesis of compounds 5–21. (a) P(OCH₂CH₃)₃, (n-Bu)₄NI, 100–120 °C; (b) methoxy benzaldehyde, NaH, THF, room temperature; (c) BBr₃, CH₂Cl₂, 20–40 °C.

Fig. 1

Cytopathic effect (CPE) of compounds 17 and 19 on replication of SARS-CoV in Vero E6 cells. (a) The normal Vero E6 cells were cultivated with Eagle’s medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. (b) The Vero E6 cells infected with 100TCID50 SARS virus. (c) The infected cells were treated with compound 17 for 72h. (d) The infected cells were treated with compound 19 for 72h.