Antiviral Activity of Jodantipyrin - An Anti-Inflammatory Oral Therapeutic with Interferon-Inducing Properties

Jodantipyrin or 4-iodo-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-pyrazol-3-one is an iodinated form of antipyrine which belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The parent compound, antipyrine, is keto derivative of pyrazoline and is the oldest known synthetic drug. The primery pharmacological activity of Jodantipyrin is based on its properties to induce endogenous type 1 interferons. The anti-inflammatory action of Jodantipyrin produces several effects such as reduction of degranulation of the mast cells; suppression of prostaglandins and arachidonic acid synthesis; cell membrane stabilizing activity; normalization of liver damage associated enzymes such as ALT and AST; lower intensity of oxidation and phosphorylation processes. Discovered direct antiviral activity is evidenced by suppression of viral DNA and RNA synthesis in vitro and under detail investigation in vivo. Jodantipyrin displays antiviral activity against interferon sensitive viruses including tick-borne encephalitis virus; hantavirus; influenza type A virus; herpes viruses; hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) viruses; Coxsackie A and B enteroviruses; papilloma virus and some others. Jodantipyrin was approved in Russia and neighboring countries for prevention and combinational treatment of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 1996, combinational treatment hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in 2001, and later for prevention of seasonal flu. The most recent data suggests that Jodantipyrin might be effective against highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu virus. As the unique anti-viral therapeutic, Jodantipyrin is under intensive investigation as a potentially effective agent with a specific antiviral activity.