Design, synthesis, and bioevaluation of paeonol derivatives as potential anti-HBV agents

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a causative reagent that frequently causes progressive liver diseases, leading to the development of acute, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite several antiviral drugs including interferon-α and nucleotide derivatives are approved for clinical treatment for HBV, critical issues remain unresolved, e.g., low-to-moderate efficacy, adverse side effects, and resistant strains. In this study, novel Paeonol-phenylsulfonyl derivatives were synthesized and their antiviral effect against HBV was evaluated. The experimental results indicated that these compounds process significant antiviral potential, including the inhibition of viral antigen expression and secretion, and the suppression of HBV viral DNA replication. Among compounds synthesized in this research, compound 2-acetyl-5-methoxyphenyl 4-methoxybenzenesulfonate (7f) had the most potent inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.36 μM, and high selectivity index, SI (TC₅₀/IC₅₀) 47.75; which exhibited an apparent inhibition effect on viral gene expression and viral propagation in cell culture model. So, we believe our compounds could serve as reservoir for antiviral drug development.