New triazole triterpene derivative exhibits anti-RSV activity synthesis biological evaluation and molecular modeling

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants. Currently, ribavirin, a nucleoside analog containing 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide moiety, is a first-line drug for its treatment, however, its clinical use has been limited due to its side effects. Here, we designed a new aryl-nitro-1,2,3-triazole triterpenes derivatives as novel anti-RSV drugs. Their anti-RSV and cytotoxic activity were evaluated in vitro , RSV protein F gene effects by RT-PCR and molecular modeling IMPDH enzyme was performed. Compound 8 was the best performing compound, with EC 50 values of 0.053μM and a TI of 11160.37 and it inhibited hRSV protein F gene expression by approximately 65%. Molecular docking showed a top-ranked solution located in the same region occupied by crystallographic ligands in their complex with IMPDH. The results obtained in this study suggests that compound 8 might be a new anti- candidate.