Antiviral activity of some benzo[g]quinazolines against coxsackievirus B4: biological screening and docking study

BACKGROUND: Serotype coxsackievirus B (CVB) infection has been linked to viral myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, meningitis, and pancreatitis in children and young adults. As of yet, no antiviral drug has been authorized for the treatment of coxsackievirus infection. Therefore, there is perpetual demand for new therapeutic agents and the improvement of existing ones. Benzo[g]quinazolines, the subject of several well-known heterocyclic systems, have risen to prominence and played a significant role in the development of antiviral agents, particularly those for anti-coxsackievirus B4 infection. METHODS: This study investigated the cytotoxicity of the target benzo[g]quinazolines (1–16) in the BGM cells line as well as their anti-coxsackievirus B4 activity. Determination of CVB4 titers using a plaque assay. RESULTS: Most of the target benzoquinazolines exhibited antiviral activity, however, compounds 1–3 appeared to be the most effective (reduction percentages of 66.7, 70, and 83.3%, respectively). The binding mechanisms and interactions of the three most active 1–3 with the constitutive amino acids in the active site of the multi-target of coxsackievirus B4 (3Clpro and RdRp) targets were also investigated using molecular docking. CONCLUSION: The anti coxsackievirus B4 activity has resulted, and the top three active benzoquinazolines (1–3) have bonded to and interacted with the constitutive amino acids in the active region of the multi-target coxsackievirus B4 (RdRp and 3Clpro). Further research is required in the lab. to determine the exact benzoquinazolines mechanism of action. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43440-023-00495-z.