Amentoflavone as an antiviral agent

摘要

Substantially purified antiviral biflavanoids robustaflavone, hinokiflavone, amentoflavone, agathisflavone, volkensiflavone, morelloflavone, rhusflavanone, succedaneaflavanone, GB-1a and GB-2a are provided. Antiviral fiflavanoid derivatives and salt forms thereof, e.g. robustaflavone tetrasulfate potassium salt, and methods for preparing the same are also disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions which include the antiviral biflavanoids, derivatives or salts thereof are also provided. Also disclosed is an improved method for obtaining substantially pure robustaflavone from plant material. The biflavanoid compounds, derivatives or salts thereof of the invention may be used in a method for treating and/or preventing viral infections caused by viral agents such as influenza, e.g. influenza A and B; hepatitis, e.g. hepatitis B; human immunodeficiency virus, e.g. HIV-1; Herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2); Varicella Zoster virus (VZV); and measles.