EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TOXIC PROPERTIES OF VMU-2012-05 DRUG – ORIGINAL NON-NUCLEESIDE INHIBITOR OF HIV-1 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE

Antiretroviral therapy is currently the main component of treatment for HIV patients. The development of new, more effective and safer drugs is an urgent task.The aim of the research is to study the toxic properties of the finished dosage form (FDF) VMU-2012-05, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (1-[2-(2-benzoylphenoxy)ethyl]-6-methyluracil) for the HIV-1 infection treatment in single and repeated enteral administrations.Materials and methods. The study of toxic properties in single administrations was carried out on outbred mice; the drug was administered at the limiting dose of 2000 mg/kg (by reference to the active substance). For 90 days, in repeated daily administrations, the toxic properties were studied in rats of both sexes at the doses of 0 mg/kg (placebo), 9 mg/kg (1 HTD), 45 mg/kg (5 HTD), 90 mg/kg (10 HTD). The toxic properties were also studied in rabbits of both sexes within a 28-day administration at the doses of 0 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg (1 HTD), 20 mg/kg (5 HTD), 40 mg/kg (10 HTD); the recovery period 30 days. Clinical observations and examinations, body weight registrations, physiological and clinical laboratory studies were carried out during the experiment. At the end of the administration period (50% of animals) and at the end of the recovery period, a pathological examination was performed.Results. The LD50 of the drug is more than 2000 mg/kg. In the repeated administrations, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) has been established. For rats, it is 9 mg/kg (1 HTD), for rabbits – 4 mg/kg (1 HTD). According to the results of the experiments carried out on rabbits and rats, the main target organ of the drug toxic effect is the liver. According to the data obtained in the study on rats, a toxic effect on the organs of the male reproductive system has been manifested (hypoplasia of the spermatogenic epithelium). Under the conditions of the experiment, the test drug had no effect on the gastrointestinal tract.Conclusion. The results have manifested a favorable safety profile of the drug, not inferior to the ones of a similar pharmacological group used in clinical practice; it can be considered a promising drug candidate for the HIV-1 infection treatment.