Synthesis and evaluation of antirhinovirus activity of 3-hydroxy and 3-methoxy 2-styrylchromones.

Recently, we identified 2-styrylchromones as a new class of antirhinovirus flavonoids with moderate activity against both rhinovirus groups A and B. In order to improve the antiviral effect of the first series of tested 2-styrylchromones, a hydroxy or methoxy group was introduced in position 3 of the chromone ring. Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of the new synthesized compounds were evaluated in HeLa cell cultures infected with rhinoviruses 1B and 14, selected as representative serotypes for viral groups B and A of human rhinoviruses (HRVs), respectively. These antiviral results compared to those obtained for 3-unsubstituted 2-styrylchromones indicate the greater potency of 3-hydroxy and 3-methoxy derivatives against both serotypes.