Mycophenolic acid inhibits replication of Japanese encephalitis virus.

Background: Japanese encephalitis is a major public health problem in several parts of Asia, particularly India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). Despite its public health implications, there are no effective antiviral drugs available.

Methods: The present study evaluated the effect of mycophenolic acid on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) using an in vitro cytopathic effect inhibition assay, plaque reduction assay and virus yield reduction assay, and its therapeutic potential was also assessed in vivo in a mouse model.

Pentoxifylline inhibits replication of Japanese encephalitis virus: a comparative study with ribavirin.

Several investigations have shown that pentoxifylline possesses broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a range of RNA and DNA viruses. However, its ability to inhibit Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) replication has not yet been studied. The present study was designed to investigate the antiviral activity of pentoxifylline against JEV in vitro and in vivo.

N-methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone derivative (SCH 16) is an inhibitor of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in vitro and in vivo.

Background: During the early and mid part of 20th century, several reports described the therapeutic effects of N-methylisatin-beta-Thiosemicarbazone (MIBT) against pox viruses, Maloney leukemia viruses and recently against HIV. However, their ability to inhibit flavivirus replication has not been investigated. Hence the present study was designed to evaluate the antiviral activity of 14 MIBT derivatives against Flaviviruses that are prevalent in India such as Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), Dengue-2 (Den-2) and West Nile viruses (WNV).