http://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceuticals/special_issues/antivirals-ph/ Related Special Issue Antivirals in Molecules. Dear Colleagues, Molecules and Pharmaceuticals, being pioneer journals of web-based publications, invites you to submit research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing the discovery and/or development of antiviral agents in animals and man as well as in plants or lower organisms. Despite the tremendous successes and hallmarks e.g. in treating AIDS, clearly there is an ongoing and increased challenge to cope with the evolutionary and constantly changing threats of viral infections that have even the potential to ultra-risks for the mankind. Natural products continue to provide important leads and structures for the development of antiviral compounds and insights into the biochemical pathways and cell live cycles provide new starting points for new antiviral mechanisms. This issue intends to delineate the efforts being made to develop new and effective broad-spectrum antiviral agents e.g. for the treatment of HSV, VZV, HIV, HBV and DNA virus infections. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Jordis Guest Editor {snippet name="submission_info"} http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/4/12/1518/ Respiratory viral infections constitute the most frequent reason for medical consultations in the World. They can be associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from self-limited upper respiratory tract infections to more devastating conditions such as pneumonia. In particular, in serious cases influenza A leads to pneumonia, which is particularly fatal in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, obesity, young children and the elderly. In the present study, we show a protective effect of the low-molecular weight compound Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxohexanoic acid) against influenza A (H1N1) virus, human parainfluenza virus and human adenovirus infections in animals. Mortality, weight loss, infectious titer of the virus in tissues and tissue morphology were monitored in the experimental groups of animals. The protective action of Ingavirin was observed as a reduction of infectious titer of the virus in the lung tissue, prolongation of the life of the infected animals, normalization of weight dynamics throughout the course of the disease, lowering of mortality of treated animals compared to a placebo control and normalization of tissue structure. In case of influenza virus infection, the protective activity of Ingavirin was similar to that of the reference compound Tamiflu. Based on the results obtained, Ingavirin should be considered as an important part of anti-viral prophylaxis and therapy. http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/4/12/1518/ Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 CET Pharmaceuticals 2011-11-25 4 12 Article 1518 1534 1424-8247 Activity of Ingavirin (6-[2-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)ethylamino]-5-oxo-hexanoic Acid) Against Human Respiratory Viruses in in Vivo Experiments 2011-11-25 doi: 10.3390/ph4121518 Vladimir V. Zarubaev Angelica V. Garshinina Nelly A. Kalinina Anna A. Shtro Svetlana V. Belyaevskaya Alexander V. Slita Vladimir E. Nebolsin Oleg I. Kiselev http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/4/7/1019/ Extracts of Echinacea species have been used traditionally in North America for the control of symptoms of colds, influenza, and other diseases, and some of them have become very popular as “herbal medicines”. Recent studies have revealed that preparations derived from certain species and plant parts, but not all of them, possess potent antiviral activities, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, particularly against membrane-containing viruses. Thus all strains of human and avian influenza viruses tested (including a Tamiflu-resistant strain), as well as herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinoviruses, were very sensitive to a standardized Echinacea purpurea preparation. In mechanistic studies the influenza virus-specific hemagglutinin and neuraminidase were inhibited. In addition some extracts displayed anti-inflammatory activity in virus-infected cells, and numerous other effects on the expression of cellular genes. Multiple components, either discrete compounds or mixtures, appeared to be responsible for the various antiviral activities. http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/4/7/1019/ Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 CEST Pharmaceuticals 2011-07-13 4 7 Review 1019 1031 1424-8247 Echinacea—A Source of Potent Antivirals for Respiratory Virus Infections 2011-07-13 doi: 10.3390/ph4071019 James Hudson Selvarani Vimalanathan http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/10/3343/ There are many stages in the development of a new drug for viral infection and such processes are even further complicated for adenovirus by the fact that there are at least 51 serotypes, forming six distinct groups (A–F), with different degree of infectivity. This review attempts to address the importance of developing pharmaceuticals for adenovirus and also review recent development in drug discovery for adenovirus, including newer strategies such as microRNA approaches. Different drug screening strategies will also be discussed. http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/10/3343/ Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 CEST Pharmaceuticals 2010-10-25 3 10 Review 3343 3354 1424-8247 Anti-Viral Drugs for Human Adenoviruses 2010-10-25 doi: 10.3390/ph3103343 Mary Miu Yee Waye Chor Wing Sing