Anti-influenza Activity of a Novel Polyoxometalate Derivative (POM-4960)

There are many effective chemotherapeutic agents used in influenza disease which some of them inhibit virus
replication by interfering with FluV (influenza virus) viral binding or its penetration into cell membrane. A series
of polyoxometalates compounds such as POM-523 and PM-504 have been synthesized and have showed
inhibitory effects on viruses. In this study we examined anti influenza activity of a novel polyoxometalate
derivative (POM-4960) synthesized in the Faculty of Chemistry of Damghan University of Basic Sciences. To
evaluate the anti-influenza activity of POM, following the treatment of FluV with POM at different temperatures
and incubation periods, viral titer reduction was assessed by haemaglutination assay (HA). The 3-(4,5-
dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine TCID50 (tissue
culture infective dose) of virus, CC50 (median cytotoxic concentration) of POM, protection percentage and
antiviral activity of POM in cell culture. RT-PCR and direct Immunofluorescent assays were performed to
evaluate the effect of POM on viral infection and viral RNA load, respectively.
POM reduced HA titer near to zero in all cell culture specimens and showed high protection against viral
infection of the cells. Reduction in viral infection was confirmed by RT-PCR and Immunofluorescent staining
methods. Moreover, this POM derivative has a dual (cumulative) effect on attachment and penetration inhibition
compared to other POM’s with just one inhibitory effect. POM-4960 could be considered as a powerful anti-
influenza agent with low toxicity and high antiviral potency.