Improved antiviral activity in vitro of ribavirin against measles virus after complexation with cyclodextrins

Despite vaccination, measles remains a burden in both developed and developing countries and complications may necessitate an efficient therapy. Measles virus (MEV) is susceptible to ribavirin (RBV), but the use of this drug is limited by its toxicity. Cyclodextrins (CDs) can form complexes with numerous molecules, improving their bioavailability and their biological properties. We have evaluated in vitro the antiviral effects of complexes of RBV with alpha-, beta- or gamma-CD against two clade A laboratory strains of MEV (Edmonston and CAM/RB) grown on Vero cells. Complexation of RBV with alpha-CD or beta-CD lead to a five-fold or a two-fold decrease in the 50% inhibitory concentration, respectively, against both MEV strains. In contrast, gamma-CD complexation showed no modification. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.