Mycophenolic Acid Inhibits Replication of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Abstract

Background: Japanese encephalitis is a major public health problem in several parts of Asia, particularly India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). Despite its public health implications, there are no effective antiviral drugs available. Methods: The present study evaluated the effect of mycophenolic acid on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) using an in vitro cytopathic effect inhibition assay, plaque reduction assay and virus yield reduction assay, and its therapeutic potential was also assessed in vivo in a mouse model. Results: Analysis of the results obtained in the in vitro and in vivo experiments suggests that mycophenolic acid has significant antiviral activity against JEV, with an IC₅₀ of 3.1 µg/ml, a therapeutic index of 16 and a 75% protection against lethal challenge of JEV. Conclusion: The study concludes that this compound significantly inhibited the replication of JEV in vitro and protected mice in vivo.

Mycophenolic acid, an immunomodulator, has potent and broad-spectrum in vitro antiviral activity against pandemic, seasonal and avian influenza viruses affecting humans

“…MPA is a non-competitive reversible inhibitor of IMDPH, which is an enzyme involved in the cellular biosynthesis of purine mononucleotides (Villarroel et al, 2009). MPA has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses (Chan et al, 2013a;Chapuis et al, 2000;Cline et al, 1969;Diamond et al, 2002;Khan et al, 2011;Sebastian et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2014b;Ye et al, 2012), and guanosine depletion has been found to contribute to antiviral activity for several of these viruses.…”

Production of valuable compounds by molds and yeasts

“…Its antiviral activity is exerted against yellow fever, dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. 21 It was never commercialized as an antibiotic because of its toxicity, but its 2-morpholinoethylester was approved as a new immunosuppressant for kidney transplantation in 1995 and for heart transplants in 1998. 22 The ester is called mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) and is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to mycophenolic acid in the body.…”

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Patients with a Hematological Malignancy: Review of Therapeutic Options

“…Mycophenolic acid has shown potent in vitro antiviral activity to the Japanese encephalitis virus [10]. Hormones and their derivatives epiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone have also demonstrated a potent antiviral effect on adenoviruses [11].…”