Anti-viral activity of suramin against influenza A virus in A549 cells

Background and Objective: Influenza A virus (IAV) is highly contagious global factor of causing pandemics and epidemics occasionally. Suramin, an anti-trypanosomal drug, also under evaluation as anti-cancer and anti-viral agent. However, inhibitory effect of suramin against influenza A virus have not yet been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-viral activity of suramin against IAV. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity assay (IC) of suramin and oseltamivir was determined using MTT assay in A549 cells. The anti-viral effect of suramin was determined by RT-qPCR, western blot and CPE (Cytopathic effect). Oseltamivir, an antiviral drug that has established anti influenza activity was used as positive control drug. Results: Half-maximal toxic concentration of suramin was found to be at 269.2 µg/ml (Log IC =2.43 µg/ml) and IC for oseltamivir was 145.4 µg/ml (Log IC =2.16 µg/ml) in A549 cells at 24hr. Suramin exhibited anti-viral activity at all the concentration, however at 250 µg/ml and 125 µg/ml demonstrated significant down regulation of viral RNA and protein in A549 cells. Oseltamivir, a positive control drug also showed significant viral inhibition at 200 and 100 µg/ml at 24hr. Conclusion: Suramin is effective in inhibiting influenza A virus replication in A549 cells at lower concentration.