Evaluation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of a novel oxovanadium complex with orotate.

The development of new drugs based on metal complexes requires a detailed analysis of their biological endpoints. In this study, we report the genotoxic profile and influence on cell proliferation and death of the oxovanadium(IV) complex with orotic acid ([VO(CHNO)], VO(oro)). Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were the most sensitive tumor cells to VO(oro), which interfered with the integrity of cell membranes and proliferative capacity in a dose-dependent manner, inducing cell death by apoptosis.

Memantine hydrochloride: a drug to be repurposed against Chikungunya virus?

Background: Chikungunya fever is an endemic disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) to which there is no vaccine or effective antiviral drug treatment so far. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-CHIKV activity of memantine hydrochloride (mtnH), a drug from the class of the aminoadamantanes approved for the treatment of Alzheimer´s disease, as a possible drug to be repurposed to the treatment of Chikungunya fever.

Methods: MtnH antiviral activity against CHIKV was determined by infecting BHK-21 cells with CHIKV-nanoluc, a virus carrying the marker nanoluciferase reporter, in the presence or absence of mtnH at concentrations ranging from 500 to 1.