Pub Date : 2010-12-03DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002010084
A. Achour
Aids is characterized by progressive T cell depletion, immune cells dysfunctions and interferon responsiveness that are driven by chronic activation. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), although effective in improving the survival of HIV-1- infected individuals, has not been able to reconstitute the adaptive immunity. However, ART is neither able to eradicate the virus nor has sufficient immune-modulatory effects to control viral infection. This situation points out the dilemma that current HIV therapy can maintain the disease in a resting state, but not eliminate it. We have described the use of novel chemical agents able to restore T-cell survival by inducing cytokines production. More recently, we suggested a complementary therapy based on the chemical induction of endogenous / interferon. We suggest that a therapeutic strategy based upon chemical immune restoration associated with type 1 Interferon (IFN- / ) might represent a mean for HIV cure. This finding may be vital for future therapeutic approaches in AIDS disease and the immune reconstitution. Understanding these process can lead to a range of new therapeutic interventions.
{"title":"A New Anti HIV/AIDS Strategy: Possible Chemical Induction of Endogenous Type 1 Interferon","authors":"A. Achour","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002010084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002010084","url":null,"abstract":"Aids is characterized by progressive T cell depletion, immune cells dysfunctions and interferon responsiveness that are driven by chronic activation. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), although effective in improving the survival of HIV-1- infected individuals, has not been able to reconstitute the adaptive immunity. However, ART is neither able to eradicate the virus nor has sufficient immune-modulatory effects to control viral infection. This situation points out the dilemma that current HIV therapy can maintain the disease in a resting state, but not eliminate it. We have described the use of novel chemical agents able to restore T-cell survival by inducing cytokines production. More recently, we suggested a complementary therapy based on the chemical induction of endogenous / interferon. We suggest that a therapeutic strategy based upon chemical immune restoration associated with type 1 Interferon (IFN- / ) might represent a mean for HIV cure. This finding may be vital for future therapeutic approaches in AIDS disease and the immune reconstitution. Understanding these process can lead to a range of new therapeutic interventions.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91319917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-10-29DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002010079
S. Simoens
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) covers those infections of the lung parenchyma that are not acquired in hospital or a long-term care facility. CAP is a common infectious disease, with annual incidence rates of 1.6 per 1,000 adults in Spain and 11.6 per 1,000 adults in Finland [1, 2]. CAP is associated with significant morbidity and is the leading cause of death due to infection in developed countries [3, 4]. The economic burden of CAP is substantial: in the United States, CAP accounts each year for 10 million physician visits, and about 1 million hospitalizations at an estimated hospital cost of $9 billion [5, 6].
{"title":"Cost-Effectiveness and Antimicrobial Resistance in Community-Acquired Pneumonia","authors":"S. Simoens","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002010079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002010079","url":null,"abstract":"Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) covers those infections of the lung parenchyma that are not acquired in hospital or a long-term care facility. CAP is a common infectious disease, with annual incidence rates of 1.6 per 1,000 adults in Spain and 11.6 per 1,000 adults in Finland [1, 2]. CAP is associated with significant morbidity and is the leading cause of death due to infection in developed countries [3, 4]. The economic burden of CAP is substantial: in the United States, CAP accounts each year for 10 million physician visits, and about 1 million hospitalizations at an estimated hospital cost of $9 billion [5, 6].","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90709940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-09-03DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020009
T. Horimoto, Y. Kawaoka
{"title":"Pandemic Influenza~!2010-01-17~!2010-04-05~!2010-08-27~!","authors":"T. Horimoto, Y. Kawaoka","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80888884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-09-03DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020026
K. I. Hidari, Takashi Suzuki
{"title":"Glycan Receptor for Influenza Virus~!2010-01-25~!2010-04-16~!2010-08-27~!","authors":"K. I. Hidari, Takashi Suzuki","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020026","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84796137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-09-03DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020034
N. Uchide, K. Ohyama, H. Toyoda
{"title":"Current and Future Anti-Influenza Virus Drugs~!2010-01-01~!2010-04-09~!2010-08-27~!","authors":"N. Uchide, K. Ohyama, H. Toyoda","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020034","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82875991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-08-27DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020058
K. Ohyama, N. Uchide, H. Toyoda
We have been now experiencing the first pandemic in the 21st century by a 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The use of effective vaccination is the most reliable prophylactic measures against influenza virus infection. Hemagglutinin (HA) of surface viral glycoproteins plays a principal role as immunogenecity induced by natural infection or vaccination in our bodies. A split-product vaccine is prepared from inactivated influenza virus particles of epidemic strains and used worldwide. However, the administration of inactivated vaccine is not always effective. The antigenicity of HA proteins is continuously changed according to mutations in its gene for escaping from host immune systems. Therefore, vaccination against epidemic strains with mutations is needed to repeat annually. Contrary to epidemic strains, it is difficult to propagate pandemic strains of influenza viruses owing to the virulence. Consequently, a sufficient quantity of antigen cannot be obtained. Thus, currently licensed influenza vaccine has a lot of inevitable problems. New developments for influenza vaccination, such as live cold-adapted vaccine, reverse genetics vaccine, DNA vaccine, universal vaccine and co-administration with adjuvant, have been tested in order to solve the problems. It is noted that the development of vaccine preparation using genetic engineering progressed rapidly. This article, therefore, reviews recent knowledge regarding (1) influenza virus HA, (2) currently licensed influenza vaccines, and (3) new devices for developing influenza vaccines.
{"title":"Current Advances in Developments of New Influenza Vaccines","authors":"K. Ohyama, N. Uchide, H. Toyoda","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020058","url":null,"abstract":"We have been now experiencing the first pandemic in the 21st century by a 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The use of effective vaccination is the most reliable prophylactic measures against influenza virus infection. Hemagglutinin (HA) of surface viral glycoproteins plays a principal role as immunogenecity induced by natural infection or vaccination in our bodies. A split-product vaccine is prepared from inactivated influenza virus particles of epidemic strains and used worldwide. However, the administration of inactivated vaccine is not always effective. The antigenicity of HA proteins is continuously changed according to mutations in its gene for escaping from host immune systems. Therefore, vaccination against epidemic strains with mutations is needed to repeat annually. Contrary to epidemic strains, it is difficult to propagate pandemic strains of influenza viruses owing to the virulence. Consequently, a sufficient quantity of antigen cannot be obtained. Thus, currently licensed influenza vaccine has a lot of inevitable problems. New developments for influenza vaccination, such as live cold-adapted vaccine, reverse genetics vaccine, DNA vaccine, universal vaccine and co-administration with adjuvant, have been tested in order to solve the problems. It is noted that the development of vaccine preparation using genetic engineering progressed rapidly. This article, therefore, reviews recent knowledge regarding (1) influenza virus HA, (2) currently licensed influenza vaccines, and (3) new devices for developing influenza vaccines.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80615448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-08-27DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002010034
N. Uchide, K. Ohyama, H. Toyoda
In 2009, we have been experiencing a new pandemic of novel influenza virus type A (H1N1) infection. The human beings still face the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Many patients with influenza virus infection have died due to severe complications even though receiving intensive care. This suggests the need for new treatment strategies of severe influenza-associated complications. In cases of severe influenza-associated complications, pathological manifestations are as a result of complex biological consequences, such as apoptosis induction, macrophage activation, oxidative damage and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have revealed that the pathogenesis of severe influenza-associated complications involves not only the virus replication-mediated apoptotic cell death in the infected cells but also non-infected cell injury by toxicity of reactive oxygen species derived from macro- phages phagocytosing apoptotic cells, and that pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by the virus-infected host cells play a critical role in the activation of macrophages. These findings provide a possibility that an agent with antiviral and antioxidant activities can be a drug of choice for the treatment of patients with severe influenza-associated complications. Selected antioxidants, such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, thujaplicin and certain types of flavonoids, possess both activities. The combination of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, with antiviral drug ribavirin synergistically reduced the lethal effect of influenza virus infection. Accumulating a number of evidence highlights a potential of selected antioxidants for treatment of severe influenza-associated complications and a possibility that combination of antioxidants with current anti-influenza drugs can improve conventional influenza chemotherapy.
{"title":"Current and Future Anti-Influenza Virus Drugs","authors":"N. Uchide, K. Ohyama, H. Toyoda","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002010034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002010034","url":null,"abstract":"In 2009, we have been experiencing a new pandemic of novel influenza virus type A (H1N1) infection. The human beings still face the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. Many patients with influenza virus infection have died due to severe complications even though receiving intensive care. This suggests the need for new treatment strategies of severe influenza-associated complications. In cases of severe influenza-associated complications, pathological manifestations are as a result of complex biological consequences, such as apoptosis induction, macrophage activation, oxidative damage and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have revealed that the pathogenesis of severe influenza-associated complications involves not only the virus replication-mediated apoptotic cell death in the infected cells but also non-infected cell injury by toxicity of reactive oxygen species derived from macro- phages phagocytosing apoptotic cells, and that pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by the virus-infected host cells play a critical role in the activation of macrophages. These findings provide a possibility that an agent with antiviral and antioxidant activities can be a drug of choice for the treatment of patients with severe influenza-associated complications. Selected antioxidants, such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, thujaplicin and certain types of flavonoids, possess both activities. The combination of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, with antiviral drug ribavirin synergistically reduced the lethal effect of influenza virus infection. Accumulating a number of evidence highlights a potential of selected antioxidants for treatment of severe influenza-associated complications and a possibility that combination of antioxidants with current anti-influenza drugs can improve conventional influenza chemotherapy.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86108015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-08-27DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020015
T. Haga, T. Horimoto
Influenza A virus causes a highly contagious respiratory disease with potentially fatal outcomes in both humans and animals. Animal models for studying the pathogenesis of the influenza virus are of considerable importance, both for practical treatments of the disease and for the development of vaccines to prevent it. Ideal animal models that accurately reflect the disease, respond to antiviral therapy, and induce a protective immune response to influenza infection or vacci- nation are important for advances in research. In the veterinary field, natural hosts can be utilized, although the application of vaccine and antiviral therapy in animals should be considered carefully because of the possible latency of viral infec- tion and acceleration of viral mutations. In a laboratory setting, ferrets have been used extensively in influenza research because the pathogenesis of the influenza virus in ferrets is very similar to that observed in humans. Contact ferret models have also been used to evaluate transmissibility of the influenza virus in humans in order to determine the pandemic potential. Laboratory mice are also experimentally infected with the influenza virus, although mice are not naturally infected and usually do not cause lethal disease without adaptation of the virus. Recently, cotton rat as a small animal model has proved useful because, as adaptation to human influenza strains is not required for the virus to replicate in the lower respiratory tract, subsequent disease develops. Non-human primates such as rhesus and cynomolgus macaques can be experimentally infected with the influenza virus and can become ill. Although the use of this model is limited, influenza models in non-human primates may be more predictive of the responses in humans due to their close evolution- ary relationship. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of these species as a potential influenza model. We will also highlight data obtained from animal models that are expected to contribute to the development of vaccines and treatments to improve the lives of both humans and animals from infection in the future.
{"title":"Animal Models to Study Influenza Virus Pathogenesis and Control","authors":"T. Haga, T. Horimoto","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020015","url":null,"abstract":"Influenza A virus causes a highly contagious respiratory disease with potentially fatal outcomes in both humans and animals. Animal models for studying the pathogenesis of the influenza virus are of considerable importance, both for practical treatments of the disease and for the development of vaccines to prevent it. Ideal animal models that accurately reflect the disease, respond to antiviral therapy, and induce a protective immune response to influenza infection or vacci- nation are important for advances in research. In the veterinary field, natural hosts can be utilized, although the application of vaccine and antiviral therapy in animals should be considered carefully because of the possible latency of viral infec- tion and acceleration of viral mutations. In a laboratory setting, ferrets have been used extensively in influenza research because the pathogenesis of the influenza virus in ferrets is very similar to that observed in humans. Contact ferret models have also been used to evaluate transmissibility of the influenza virus in humans in order to determine the pandemic potential. Laboratory mice are also experimentally infected with the influenza virus, although mice are not naturally infected and usually do not cause lethal disease without adaptation of the virus. Recently, cotton rat as a small animal model has proved useful because, as adaptation to human influenza strains is not required for the virus to replicate in the lower respiratory tract, subsequent disease develops. Non-human primates such as rhesus and cynomolgus macaques can be experimentally infected with the influenza virus and can become ill. Although the use of this model is limited, influenza models in non-human primates may be more predictive of the responses in humans due to their close evolution- ary relationship. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of these species as a potential influenza model. We will also highlight data obtained from animal models that are expected to contribute to the development of vaccines and treatments to improve the lives of both humans and animals from infection in the future.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87608595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-08-27DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020022
T. Takizawa, Y. Nakanishi
The role and pathological significance of apoptosis in an influenza virus-infected host has been hotly debated. Influenza virus-induced apoptosis was primarily thought to be a host defense mechanism to limit virus replication and eliminate viruses from the host; however, the virus has mechanisms not only to overcome but to utilize apoptosis for its efficient replication. Virus-induced apoptosis also plays a role in developing symptoms. Understanding the mechanisms underlying virus-induced apoptosis could enable us to conquer the threat of influenza.
{"title":"Role and Pathological Significance of Apoptosis Induced by Influenza Virus Infection","authors":"T. Takizawa, Y. Nakanishi","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020022","url":null,"abstract":"The role and pathological significance of apoptosis in an influenza virus-infected host has been hotly debated. Influenza virus-induced apoptosis was primarily thought to be a host defense mechanism to limit virus replication and eliminate viruses from the host; however, the virus has mechanisms not only to overcome but to utilize apoptosis for its efficient replication. Virus-induced apoptosis also plays a role in developing symptoms. Understanding the mechanisms underlying virus-induced apoptosis could enable us to conquer the threat of influenza.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85632382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2010-08-27DOI: 10.2174/1876518101002020049
M. Kurokawa, Tomomi Shimizu, W. Watanabe, K. Shiraki
The recent great advances in medical treatment and scientific technology include the many antiviral agents that have been developed and are used for treatment of infectious diseases, but such advances have also provoked the appear- ance of resistant virus strains. Therefore, the development of new antiviral agents with diverse kinds of antiviral actions is required. The search for new antiviral agents focuses on not only synthetic compounds but also natural products such as traditional medicines, dietary supplements, and functional foods, including plants, insects, animal organs, and their com- ponents. Natural products have their own metabolites, and some of the metabolites may recognize the differences between viral and host metabolisms, resulting in antiviral activity. In general, they can be obtained cheaply and may be useful re- sources to develop new antiviral agents with different antiviral actions from those of known antiviral agents. Also, natural products and their components have been demonstrated to modify immunological activities and are candidates for biological response modifiers that are effective in alleviating symptoms and reducing mortality in virus infection. The first half of this chapter introduces natural products and purified compounds that were confirmed by in vitro experiments and animal infection models to have direct antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or influenza virus. However, even if a natural product or purified component has strong antiviral activity in vitro, if it has no therapeu- tic efficacy against virus infection in an animal infection model, it is merely an inhibitor and not a medicine. The search for antiviral agents should be based on the demonstration of prophylactic and/or therapeutic efficacy at the proper dosage in animals. In the second half, we introduce a Kampo medicine, Kakkon-to, which is a biological response modifier rather than a direct antiviral agent. It is the most common cold medicine used in traditional therapy and prescribed to about 20 million people annually in Japan. We also introduce the mode of immunomodulating activity of Kakkon-to on influenza virus and HSV-1 infection and its components, which can modulate cytokine production. We hope that this chapter will be useful in verifying the antiviral therapeutic efficacy of natural products against influenza infection and helpful in encouraging development of anti-influenza virus medicines from natural products.
{"title":"Development of New Antiviral Agents from Natural Products","authors":"M. Kurokawa, Tomomi Shimizu, W. Watanabe, K. Shiraki","doi":"10.2174/1876518101002020049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1876518101002020049","url":null,"abstract":"The recent great advances in medical treatment and scientific technology include the many antiviral agents that have been developed and are used for treatment of infectious diseases, but such advances have also provoked the appear- ance of resistant virus strains. Therefore, the development of new antiviral agents with diverse kinds of antiviral actions is required. The search for new antiviral agents focuses on not only synthetic compounds but also natural products such as traditional medicines, dietary supplements, and functional foods, including plants, insects, animal organs, and their com- ponents. Natural products have their own metabolites, and some of the metabolites may recognize the differences between viral and host metabolisms, resulting in antiviral activity. In general, they can be obtained cheaply and may be useful re- sources to develop new antiviral agents with different antiviral actions from those of known antiviral agents. Also, natural products and their components have been demonstrated to modify immunological activities and are candidates for biological response modifiers that are effective in alleviating symptoms and reducing mortality in virus infection. The first half of this chapter introduces natural products and purified compounds that were confirmed by in vitro experiments and animal infection models to have direct antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or influenza virus. However, even if a natural product or purified component has strong antiviral activity in vitro, if it has no therapeu- tic efficacy against virus infection in an animal infection model, it is merely an inhibitor and not a medicine. The search for antiviral agents should be based on the demonstration of prophylactic and/or therapeutic efficacy at the proper dosage in animals. In the second half, we introduce a Kampo medicine, Kakkon-to, which is a biological response modifier rather than a direct antiviral agent. It is the most common cold medicine used in traditional therapy and prescribed to about 20 million people annually in Japan. We also introduce the mode of immunomodulating activity of Kakkon-to on influenza virus and HSV-1 infection and its components, which can modulate cytokine production. We hope that this chapter will be useful in verifying the antiviral therapeutic efficacy of natural products against influenza infection and helpful in encouraging development of anti-influenza virus medicines from natural products.","PeriodicalId":22920,"journal":{"name":"The Open Antimicrobial Agents Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84912920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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