Ribavirin (Synonyms: NSC 163039)

Ribavirin (ICN-1229) is an antiviral agent against a broad spectrum of viruses including HCV, HIVl, and RSV.

Treatmentof LPS-stimulated microglia with 5, 10 and 20 μM Ribavirin (ICN-1229) induces reduction of NO2 levels for 43% (p<0.05), 53% (p<0.05) and 59% (p<0.05), respectively. Ribavirin (ICN-1229) (10 mM) insignificantly decreases the cell surface area in non-stimulated culture, but significantly reduces cell surface area (by 32%, p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated microglia[3]. Ribavirin (ICN-1229) is active against DENV, with an EC50 of 3 μM in A549 cells, and combination of CM-10-18 with Ribavirin (ICN-1229) demonstrates a clear enhancement in the reduction of virus replication[4].

ALT, AST activities and bilirubin levels are significantly loared by administration of JAT in combination with interferon and Ribavirin (ICN-1229) (p<0.01). JAT, interferon or ribavirin alone with CCl4, livers appear to exhibit some liver protection against CCl4 as evident by the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and lesser fatty infiltration. Groups treated with JAT, Peg-interferon and Ribavirin (ICN-1229) separately or in combination shows reduction in the expression of TGF- β and Bax. In the group treated by triple combination of interferon, Ribavirin (ICN-1229), and JAT, the expression level of p53 is markedly reduced[1]. Ribavirin (ICN-1229) capsules (400 mg of ribavirin)-treated Wistar rats show a significant decrease in activin-A and significant increase in follistatin at the serum and liver levels. Ribavirin (ICN-1229) has strong antiviral activity only when ribavirin is combined with either IFN-α or Peg-IFN-α[2]. Ribavirin (40 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improves the antiviral efficacy of CM-10-18 in mice. Ribavirin (ICN-1229) inhibits DENV virus infection in cultured cells, but it is ineffective in reducing viremia in monotherapy[4].

References:
[1]. Abdel-Hamid NM, et al. Synergistic Effects of Jerusalem Artichoke in Combination with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin Against Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(4):1979-85.
[2]. Refaat B, et al. The effects of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin on liver and serum concentrations of activin-A and follistatin in normal Wistar rat: a preliminary report. BMC Res Notes. 2015 Jun 26;8:265
[3]. Savic D, et al. Ribavirin shows immunomodulatory effects on activated microglia. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2014 Dec;36(6):433-41
[4]. Chang J, et al. Combination of α-glucosidase inhibitor and ribavirin for the treatment of dengue virus infection in vitro and in vivo. Antiviral Res. 2011 Jan;89(1):26-34