tcsc2540 Ribavirin

Ribavirin is an antiviral agent against a broad spectrum of viruses including HCV, HIVl, and RSV.

In Vitro: Ribavirin (5, 10 and 20 μM) does not produce any significant effect on neither cell viability nor nitrites level in non-stimulated microglia. Treatment

of LPS-stimulated microglia with 5, 10 and 20 μM Ribavirin induces reduction of NO₂ levels for 43% (p<0.05), 53% (p<0.05) and 59% (p<0.05), respectively. Ribavirin (10 mM) insignificantly decreases the cell surface area in non-stimulated culture, but significantly reduces cell surface area (by 32%, p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated microglia^[3]. Ribavirin is active against DENV, with an EC₅₀ of 3 μM in A549 cells, and combination of CM-10-18 with ribavirin demonstrates a clear enhancement in the reduction of virus replication^[4].

In Vivo: ALT, AST activities and bilirubin levels are significantly loared by administration of JAT in combination with interferon and ribavirin (p<0.01). JAT, interferon or ribavirin alone with CCl₄, livers appear to exhibit some liver protection against CCl₄ as evident by the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and lesser fatty infiltration. Groups treated with JAT, Peg-interferon and ribavirin separately or in combination shows reduction in the expression of TGF- β and Bax. In the group treated by triple combination of interferon, ribavirin, and JAT, the expression level of p53 is markedly reduced^[1]. Ribavirin capsules (400 mg of ribavirin)-treated Wistar rats show a significant decrease in activin-A and significant increase in follistatin at the serum and liver levels. Ribavirin has strong antiviral activity only when ribavirin is combined with either IFN-α or Peg-IFN-α^[2]. Ribavirin (40 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improves the antiviral efficacy of CM-10-18 in mice. Ribavirin inhibits DENV virus infection in cultured cells, but it is ineffective in reducing viremia in monotherapy^[4].