Ribavirin-13C5 is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of ribavirin by GC- or LC-MS. Ribavirin is an antiviral guanosine nucleoside analog.1,2 Upon entry into cells, ribavirin is metabolized to an active triphosphate form that induces viral RNA chain termination and inhibits viral polymerases. It reduces replication in a panel of seven RNA and four DNA viruses in Vero cells (EC50s = 2-95 µg/ml).3 Ribavirin also reduces replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Vero cells (EC50 = 109.5 µM).4 Aerosol administration of ribavirin (30 mg/kg) reduces mortality in a mouse model of influenza A infection.5 Formulations containing ribavirin have been used in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
1.Gilbert, B.E., and Knight, V.Biochemistry and clinical applications of ribavirinAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.30(2)201-205(1986) 2.Gordon, C.J., Tchesnokov, E.P., Woolner, E., et al.Remdesivir is a direct-acting antiviral that inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 with high potencyJ. Biol. Chem.295(20)6785-6797(2020) 3.Kirsi, J.J., North, J.A., McKernan, P.A., et al.Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of 2-β-D-ribofuranosylselenazole-4-carboxamide, a new antiviral agentAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.24(3)353-361(1983) 4.Wang, M., Cao, R., Zhang, L., et al.Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitroCell Res.30(3)269-271(2020) 5.Wilson, S.Z., Knight, V., Wyde, P.R., et al.Amantadine and ribavirin aerosol treatment of influenza A and B infection in miceAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.17(4)642-648(1980)