Effect of Complexes of Zinc, Cobalt and Copper With D‐Aminosugars on the Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV‐1)

Our previous results show that Zn(pic)(2) and Zn(asp)(2) inhibit key steps of the replication of HSV-1. Anti-HSV effect of complexes of Co(II) with aminoacids Lys and Ser was also found. In the present study we describe the effect of complexes of Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) with D-aminosugars on the replication of HSV-1 and on the infectivity of free virions. The experiments were done using primary rabbit kidney cells (r.k.), diploid human embryonal fibroblasts (F) and Vero cells. No differences in the toxicity of metal complexes on diploid cells- r.k. and F, were found. Neither metal complexes, nor ligands-galactosoxime and glucosoxime, influenced the viral replication. During 1-4h prolonged contact only Cu(Gl.NOH)(2) inactivated HSV-1 virions up to 90%. The results show that D-aminosugars are not suitable ligands for Zn(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) in respect of the inhibition of viral replication. However, only Cu(Gl.NOH)(2) was able to inhibit the infectivity of free virions.