Antiviral Properties and Toxicity of Ag-Cystine Complex

Water-soluble complex of Ag (I) with cystine (AC-1) had been designed and synthesized as low toxic nuclease. Both cellular and viral isolated RNA were completely cleaved for 1 hour at 37ºC; RNA within influenza A virions - for 2 hours in the presence of 2 mM AC-1. The RNase activity of AC-1 was accompanied by absence of a damage of the viral proteins as shown by semi-quantitative ELISA with specific antibodies, hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition titering. To detect binding of living cells and viruses with potential drugs a novel label-free realtime approach based on long range surface waves on one-dimentional photonic crystal surface in micro fluid channel was used. Antiviral properties of AC-1 were shown both in vitro and in vivo. Protection index of AC-1 after multiple peroral administrations was 77.8 ± 13.9%. Cytotoxicity of AC-1 varied in a range 0.01-0.04 mM for different tissue cultures. Its toxicity for mice appeared to depend on the administration way. The absence of the biosensor-detected binding of AC-1 with blood serum and cellular proteins corresponded to its limited toxicity. Permanent binding of the Influenza A virus with AC-1 revealed its antiviral potential. Taking into consideration new molecular target - RNA, a relatively low toxicity after multiple peroral administrations and evident anti-influenza virus properties one could conclude that the novel low-molecular-weight RNase AC-1 without immunogenic and allergenic activities might be used for an inactivated vaccine preparation and for combined therapy of the influenza.