Effect of isoflavans and isoflavenes on the infection of Frp/3 cells by hepatitis A virus.

The effect of 6,4'-dichloroflavan and of isoflavan and isoflavene derivatives on hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in a monkey cell line (Frp/3 cells) was studied. These compounds were not virucidal and had no measurable effect on the adsorption of virus to the cells at 0 degrees C, whereas they exerted an inhibitory effect on viral antigen synthesis when incubated with the infected cells during HAV multiplication. Among the substances tested, 6,4'-dichloroflavan and 6,4'-dichloroisoflavan showed the highest activity. These compounds are postulated to interact with an early stage (penetration and/or uncoating) of HAV infection.