Method of treating a viral condition by inhibiting membrane fusion

摘要

A method of preventing and treating a viral condition caused by an enveloped virus is described, comprising using a therapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a substituted hydroquinone and the corresponding benzoquinone, wherein said hydroquinone comprises a 2-R1, 3-R2-1,4-hydroquinone where at least one of R1 and R2 include a carbon linkage to the benzene ring of the hydroquinone. Particularly useful compounds include 5,8-dihydro-5,8-methano-1,4-naphthalenediol, 1,4-naphthoquinone, 3', 6'-dihydroxybenzo-norbornane, tert-butylhydroquinone, other diols, e.g. 1,5-naphthalenediol, and alkylated diols, e.g. 4-methoxy-1-naphthol.