Design, synthesis and evaluation of 2′-acetylene-7-deaza-adenosine phosphoamidate derivatives as anti-EV71 and anti-EV-D68 agents

A series of phosphoamidate derivatives of nucleoside 2'-acetylene-7-deaza-adenosine (NITD008) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiviral activities against the enteroviruses EV71 and EV-D68. The phosphoamidate (15f) containing a hexyl ester of L-alanine exhibited the most promising activity against EV71 (IC50 = 0.13 +/- 0.08 mu M) and was 4-times more potent than NITD008. Meanwhile, the derivative containing a cyclohexyl ester of t-alanine (151) exhibited the most potent activity with high selectivity index against both EV71 (IC50 = 0.19 +/- 0.27 mu M, SI = 117.00) and EV-D68 (IC50 = 0.17 +/- 0.16 mu M, SI = 130.76), which were both higher than that of NITD008. The results indicated that the phosphoamidate 151 was the most promising candidate for further development as antiviral agents for the treatment of both EV71 and EV-D68 infection. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Phosphoamidate derivatives of nucleoside NITD008 were synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral activities against EV71 and EV-D68, with compounds 15f and 151 showing the most promising results. Compound 151 demonstrated the highest selectivity index against both viruses, indicating its potential as a candidate for antiviral drug development in treating EV71 and EV-D68 infections.