Emetine compounds for treatment and prevention of flavivirus infection
Inventors
Tang, Hengli • Lee, Emily M. • THARAPPEL, Anil Mathew • Song, Hongjun • Ming, Guo-li • Zheng, Wei • Xu, Miao • Yang, Shu • Huang, Ruili • HUANG, Wenwei • SHAMIM, Khalida • Li, Hao
Assignees
Florida State University Research Foundation Inc • Johns Hopkins University • US Department of Health and Human Services
Publication Number
US-11207315-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-28
Expiration Date
2038-10-10
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Abstract
The present invention concerns the use of emetine compounds for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections, such as dengue virus infections. Aspects of the invention include methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection, such as dengue virus infection, by administering an emetine compound such as emetine or cephaeline, or a combination of two or more emetine compounds, to a subject in need thereof; methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections such as dengue virus infections in a cell in vitro or in vivo; pharmaceutical compositions; packaged dosage formulations; and kits for treating or preventing Flavivirus infections, such dengue virus infections.
Core Innovation
The invention concerns the use of emetine compounds for the treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections such as dengue virus infections. It includes methods for treating or preventing Flavivirus virus infection by administering an emetine compound like emetine or cephaeline, or a combination thereof, to a subject in need. Additionally, the invention provides methods for inhibiting Flavivirus infections in cells in vitro or in vivo, pharmaceutical compositions, packaged dosage formulations, and kits for treating or preventing such infections.
The inventors identified a novel use for emetine compounds to treat and prevent Zika virus and other Flavivirus infections. The emetine compounds encompass emetine, cephaeline, psychotrine, o-methyl psychotrine, emetamine, various derivatives, prodrugs, metabolites, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds can be administered alone or in combination with additional agents that treat or prevent Flavivirus infections.
The problem being addressed is the re-emergence and spread of Flavivirus infections, particularly Zika virus, which is a significant public health concern due to its association with congenital defects and neurological syndromes such as Guillain-Barré. Current methods for managing these infections are limited, so there is a need for effective treatments and preventive agents. The invention aims to provide compounds and methods that inhibit Flavivirus infection and viral replication in subjects or cells.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim, focused on methods for treating or inhibiting dengue virus infection using specified emetine compounds.
Method for treating or delaying dengue virus infection
A method comprising administering an effective amount of cephaeline, cephaeline isoamyl ether, cephaeline ethyl ether, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human or non-human animal subject to treat or delay onset of dengue virus infection.
Method for inhibiting dengue virus infection in cells
A method comprising contacting an effective amount of cephaeline, cephaeline isoamyl ether, cephaeline ethyl ether, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to human or non-human animal cells in vitro or in vivo before or after exposure to dengue virus to inhibit infection.
The independent claims cover methods of treatment and inhibition of dengue virus infection using emetine-derived compounds cephaeline and its ethers or salts. The inventiveness lies in the use of these specific compounds for therapeutic or prophylactic applications against dengue virus in subjects or cells.
Stated Advantages
Emetine compounds exhibit antiviral activity against Flavivirus infections, including Zika and dengue viruses.
Combination therapies using emetine compounds with additional agents may provide synergistic effects in protecting neural cells from virus-induced cell death.
Prodrug approaches improve bioavailability and selective targeting, reducing toxic effects and enhancing patient compliance.
Documented Applications
Treatment or prevention of Flavivirus infections such as Zika virus and dengue virus infections in human or non-human animals.
Inhibition of Flavivirus infection in vitro or in vivo in cells exposed to Zika virus or dengue virus.
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