Glycyrrhizic acid derivatives as influenza A/H1N1 virus inhibitors

This Letter describes the synthesis and antiviral activity study of some glycyrrhizic acid (GL) derivatives against influenza A/H1N1/pdm09 virus in MDCK cells. Conjugation of GL with L-amino acids or their methyl esters, and amino sugar (D-galactose amine) dramatically changed its activity. The most active compounds were GL conjugates with aromatic amino acids methyl esters (phenylalanine and tyrosine) (SI = 61 and 38), and S-benzyl-cysteine (SI = 71). Thus modification of GL is a perspective route in the search of new antivirals, and some of GL derivatives are potent as anti-influenza A/H1N1 agents. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.