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Following our studies on structure-activity relationships of anti-rhinovirus chromene and chroman derivatives, we designed and synthesized new series of 3-phenylalkyl-2H-chromenes and -chromans bearing differently sized, aliphatic linker chains between the two cycles. The cytotoxicity and the antiviral activity of the new compounds on human rhinovirus (HRV) serotype 1B and 14 infection were evaluated in HeLa cell cultures. Most of the tested compounds interfered with HRV1B multiplication in the micromolar or submicromolar concentrations while HRV14 was less susceptible. 3-[3-(4-Chlorophenyl)propyl]chroman (9c) was selected for preliminary mechanism of action studies due to its potent activity against both serotypes (IC 50 of 0.48μM and 1.36μM towards HRV1B and 14, respectively) coupled with high selectivity (SI=206.18 and 73.26, respectively). Results of time of addition/removal studies suggest that 9c, similarly to related derivatives, behaves as a capsid binder interfering with some early events of the HRV1B infectious cycle., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are the most common cause of viral respiratory infections and their complications. So far, no anti-viral agent has been approved for prevention or treatment of HRV infections. Pursuing our researches on small molecules with anti-rhinovirus activity, in this paper we describe the synthesis and in vitro anti-HRV 1B and 14 properties of new [2-(2H-chromen-3-yl)vinyl]pyridines and 3-[2-(pyridinyl)vinyl]-4H-chromen-4-ones. Generally, the synthesized compounds interfered with the replication of both serotypes at the micromolar or submicromolar concentrations. Preliminary results on their mechanism of action, performed on selected (E)-2-[2-(2H-chromen-3-yl)vinyl]pyridine, indicate an interference with the early step(s) of HRV 1B and 14 replication, probably at the uncoating level., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

As part of an effort to generate broad-spectrum inhibitors of rhinovirus replication, novel series of (E)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chroman-4-ones 1a-e, (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)chroman-4-ones 2a and 2b, (Z)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chromans 3a-e, and (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromenes 4a-d were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their efficacy against infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14, two representative serotypes for rhinovirus group B and A, respectively. Most of the analogues were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of both HRVs, although HRV 1B was generally more susceptible than HRV 14. Mechanism of action studies of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromene 4b, the most potent compound on HRV 1B infection, suggested that 4b behaves as a capsid-binder probably acting at the uncoating level., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Substituted (E)-3-styryl-4H-chromen-4-ones 1a-d, 3-[(1E,3E)-4-phenylbuta-1,3-dienyl]-4H-chromen-4-ones 2a-d, (E)-3-styryl-2H-chromenes 3a-d and 3-[(1E,3E)-4-phenylbuta-1,3-dienyl]-2H-chromenes 4a-d were designed and synthesized to improve the anti-picornavirus activity of previously tested analogues. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro against human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes 1B and 14 and enterovirus (EV) 71. All the compounds interfered with the replication of picornaviruses, although considerable differences were observed in the sensitivity of viruses to each compound. Generally, both HRVs were more susceptible than EV71 and their sensitivity was dependent upon the linker chain length as well as upon the oxidation state of the heterocyclic ring. (E)-3-Styryl-2H-chromene (3a) emerged as the most effective inhibitor of both HRVs showing IC(50) values of 0.20 microM and 1.38 microM towards serotype 1B and 14, respectively. The potent activity was also coupled with low cytotoxicity resulting in high therapeutic indexes (250 and 36, respectively). Mechanism of action studies indicated that 3a, like structurally related compounds, behaves as a capsid binder interfering with the early stages of rhinovirus infection, probably at the adsorption and/or uncoating level., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A series of 3-benzyl chromenes and chromans were synthesized and tested in vitro against human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14, two representative serotypes for rhinovirus group B and A, respectively. All the new compounds, with the exception of 3-benzyl-2H-chromene (3a), showed a potent activity against HRV serotype 1B within micro or submicromolar range (IC(50)s from 0.11 to 6.62 microM). The low cytotoxicity of all the derivatives resulted in compounds with high therapeutic index (TI). On the contrary, HRV 14 infection was only weakly inhibited by the majority of these compounds. The 3-benzylidenechromans 2b and 2c showed the highest anti-HRV 1B activity (IC(50) 0.12 and 0.11 microM, respectively) coupled with remarkable TI (625.00 and 340.91, respectively). Mechanism of action studies on (Z)-3-(4-chlorobenzylidene)chroman (2b) suggest that the new compounds behave as capsid binders and interfere with very early stages of HRV 1B replication, similarly to related flavanoids.