06/25/2009

Farmabrasilis announces the effectiveness of a new antiviral

Farmabrasilis announces the publication of the effectiveness of P-MAPA, a new immunomodulator, for antiviral applications, in the journal Antiviral Research.

 

This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Brian Gowen at the Institute for Antiviral Research of Utah State University and was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

 

The P-MAPA, a proteinaceous aggregate of ammonium and magnesium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride derived from Aspergillus oryzae, works as an antiviral agent in a mouse model of acute phleboviral disease. This disease was induced by Punta Toro Virus (PTV), which produces a fatal hepatic disease in animals and is closely related to the Rift Valley fever virus, endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

A single dose of P-MAPA, administered 24 hours post-infectious challenge, was effective at preventing death due to Punta Toro virus infection, according to the report published in the August 22 issue of Antiviral Research.

 

P-MAPA has previously demonstrated anti-tumor activity in several mouse models. Extensive toxicology studies suggest that the compound is a safe drug, since in acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity studies performed in rodents, non-human primates and also in phase I clinical trials, the compound did not display relevant signs of toxicity.

 

Recent studies showed that P-MAPA induced proliferation of white blood cell such as T lymphocytes, increases cytokine production (mainly gamma interferon and interleukin-2), NK cell activity and stimulates nitric oxide release by macrophages. These data indicate that P-MAPA may be broadly active, helping to fight infections caused by intracellular pathogens including viruses. This is feasible because induction of interkeukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) are also essential factors in the establishment of protective immunity against viral infection.

 

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