Antiviral action of benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3-diones: 5-nitro-2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) and 5-nitro-2-[2-(1-pyrrolidine)-ethyl] derivatives.

Two benzo[de]isoquinoline-diones, namely 5-nitro-2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3-dione and 5-nitro-2-[2-(1-pyrrolidine)-ethyl]-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3-dione, caused inhibition of the viral replication, when assayed against herpes simplex and vaccinia viruses in chick embryo cell cultures. Influenza and Sindbis virus replication were unaffected by these chemicals. Virucidal effects were unobserved. The inhibitory activity is time-related. Ocular and dermal infections with vaccinia virus in rabbits were prevented or disease severity reduced whenever they were treated with either one of these two drugs.