Inhibition of Dengue Virus Serotype 2 in Vero Cells with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)₂(H₂O)₂].Cl₂

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, with an observed 30-fold increase in global incidence the last 50 years. Despite the tremendous efforts invested anti-dengue virus research, no clinically approved vaccine or antiviral chemotherapeutics are available for humans, and disease treatment is limited to supportive care. Over the years there has been a continuous interest in the chemistry of metal complexes with biological activity, including platinum complexes with antitumor activity and silver complexes with antimicrobial action. Aim of the project was to investigate [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H- imidazole)₂ (H₂O)₂].Cl₂ as antiviral compound that was further tested for inhibitory effect on the replication of dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) in Vero cell. DENV-2 were infected in Vero cells and replication of virus was measured by Viral ToxGlo with selectivity index value (SI) and determined as the ratio of cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC₅₀) to inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) for com- pound. The standard curve between concentration of compound (μg/mL) and %viability of cells was analyzed by logarithmic cor- relation regression with regression equation. For infection rates, t-test was used to exam- ine the statistical significances among the concentrations of compound. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. The maximum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)₂ (H₂O)₂].Cl₂ against DENV-2 was 98.62 μg/mL. The cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) of compound against Vero cells was 300.36 μg/mL. The SI values for [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)₂ (H₂O)₂].Cl₂ 1.86. Based on selectivity index values, [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)₂ (H₂O)₂].Cl₂ can inhibit the growth of DENV- 2 and has low toxicity values for Vero cells.