In Vitro Antiviral Activity of a New Indol-3-carboxylic Acid Derivative Against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought into sharp relief the threat posed by coronaviruses and laid the foundation for a fundamental analysis of this viral family, as well as a search for effective anti-COVID drugs. Work is underway to update existent vaccines against COVID-19, and screening for low-molecular-weight anti-COVID drug candidates for outpatient medicine continues. The opportunities and ways to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs against other pathogens are being discussed in the context of preparing for the next pandemic. In 2012-2015, Tsyshkova et al. synthesized a group of water-soluble low-molecular-weight compounds exhibiting an antiviral activity, whose chemical structure was similar to that of arbidol. Among those, there were a number of water-soluble compounds based on 5-methoxyindole-3-carboxylic acid aminoalkyl esters. Only one member of this rather extensive group of compounds, dihydrochloride of 6-bromo-5-methoxy-1-methyl-2-(1-piperidinomethyl)-3-(2-diethylaminoethoxy) carbonylindole, exhibited a reliable antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. At a concentration of 52.0 μM, this compound completely inhibited the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with an infectious activity of 106 TCID50/mL. The concentration curves of the analyzed compound indicate the specificity of its action. Interferon-inducing activity, as well as suppression of syncytium formation induced by the spike protein (S-glycoprotein) of SARS-CoV-2 by 89%, were also revealed. In view of its synthetic accessibility - high activity (IC₅₀ = 1.06 μg/mL) and high selectivity index (SI = 78.6) - this compound appears to meets the requirements for the development of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; antiviral activity; cell culture; indole-3 carboxylic acid derivative.

Fig. 1

6-Bromo-1-methyl-5-methoxy-2-(1-piperidinomethyl)- 3-(2-diethylamino ethoxy)carbonylindole dihydrochloride (compound 1)

Fig. 2

Reagents and conditions: a. (1) aq. NaOH, dioxane; (2) Me2SO4, 20°C; b. N-bromosuccinimide, CCl4, boiling; c. N-bromosuccinimide, (PhCOO)2, CCl4, irradiation (100 W bulb), boiling; d. piperidine, PhH, 20°C; e. (1) aq. NaOH, EtOH, boiling; (2) HCl (conc.); f. SOCl2, dioxane, DMFA (cat.), 60°C; g. (1) Et2NCH₂CH₂OH, Et3N, PhH, boil.; (2) HCl, Et2O, acetone, 20°C

Fig. 3

IR spectrum of compound 1

Fig. 4

¹H NMR spectrum of compound 1

Fig. 5

Mass spectrum of compound 1

Fig. 6

Determining the cytotoxic effect of compound 1 96 h after its addition to the Vero E6 cell culture (using MTS vital dye). CC₅₀ = 83.32 μg/mL