[On the biological action of transition metal complexes. 4. The antiviral activity of metallocene dichlorides of titanium and molybdenum (author's transl)].

In view of the fact that bis cyclopentadienyl metal dihalides are known to be anti-tumour drugs, we have investigated the antiviral activity of this type of coordination compounds. Bis cyclopentadienyl titanium dichloride (a) has shown significant antiviral efficiency in vitro against representatives of a nuber of enveloped DNA and RNA viruses. Inhibition of orthopoxvirus (vaccinia), herpes virus (pseudorabies), orthomyxoviruses (influenza A/fowl plague [FPV], influenza A/Victoria 3/75, influenza A/jena 48/78 and influenza B/Johannesburg), paramyxovirus (Newcastle disease [NDV]) and rhabdovirus (vesicular stomatitis [VSV]) was observed after direct contact with the compound under loss of infectivity up to 100%. Regarding the group of unenveloped viruses only adenovirus type 4 became influenced but not type 5. No antiviral activity could be found against the cardiovirus Mengo. The compound bis cyclopentadienyl molybdenum dichloride failed to show an antiviral action versus vaccinia, influenza A/FPV and influenza viruses B/Johannesburg. Application of the inhibitor (a) during the replication of vaccinia and influenza viruses A/FPV in cell cultures produced an additional effect of inhibition of virus multiplication. On the other hand, adenovirus type 4 and VSV replication was not affected by titanocene dichloride.