Topically Applied Anti-Viral Agents

Introduction of Medicinal Compounds via the Skin

Introducing medicinal compounds through the skin offers a promising solution for controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Many antiviral agents in medicinal plants face challenges in becoming pharmaceutical products due to bioavailability issues—the process by which substances are absorbed and remain stable in the bloodstream. However, transdermal technology helps overcome many of these challenges.

Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors and Their Potential

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which block the absorption of sucrose and starches from the intestines, also prevent infected cells from releasing intact viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B/C, herpes, and influenza. These inhibitors show great potential as antiviral and anticancer agents. Most viral proteins acquire carbohydrates during their synthesis in infected cells. Alpha-glucosidase enzymes trim these carbohydrates as viral proteins move through the cell’s organelles. Inhibiting this process prevents the virus from forming correctly, rendering it nonfunctional. This can be compared to trying to fit a large amount of hair under a small hat—it needs a “haircut” to fit. In the human cell, the enzymes carry out this trimming, and blocking them prevents proper viral assembly.

Development of Topical Antiviral Agents

Researchers aim to develop a cream that introduces alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and other natural molecules into the skin to block the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and influenza. Scientific literature supports the efficacy of these compounds in animals, but they need FDA-regulated clinical trials for human use. Given the global impact of sexually transmitted diseases and influenza, developing a topical antiviral agent is important.

Challenges with Oral Administration of Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors

In laboratory settings, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors make HIV-infected cells non-infectious. However, a clinical trial with one inhibitor showed that high oral doses caused toxicity and discomfort. This highlights the issues with bioavailability when administering these inhibitors orally. While the clinical trial was stopped due to side effects, speculation about using these inhibitors for HIV treatment has persisted since the 1980s. Most studies have focused on these inhibitors for infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other viruses, but their use for HIV remains underexplored.

Transdermal Delivery as a Solution

The problem with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may not be with the compounds but how they are administered. Instead of taking them orally, applying them through the skin could allow for lower, non-toxic doses that effectively block the production of infectious viruses. Transdermally applied inhibitors enter the lymphatic system, which circulates throughout the body and reaches key infection sites. In contrast, orally consumed compounds may not reach lymph nodes, which harbor significant amounts of HIV virus, limiting their effectiveness. Hepatitis B and C viruses reside in the liver, which has a rich blood supply, making transdermal delivery more effective.

Potential for Transdermal Treatment of Viral Infections

Transdermal delivery of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors could provide a more effective solution for blocking viral infections like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and herpes simplex viruses. Researchers could test this method in animal models, such as cats with FIV (feline AIDS virus) and rodents with HIV, to gauge its efficacy. This approach offers a potential breakthrough in developing topical treatments to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Conclusion

Transdermal delivery of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and other antiviral agents represents a potential advancement in the fight against viral infections. By bypassing the digestive system, this method ensures that compounds enter the lymphatic system, where they can be distributed more effectively throughout the body. While further research and clinical trials are needed, this approach holds promise for developing safe, non-toxic, and effective topical antiviral treatments.