Cytokinin inducing and antiviral activity of cycloferon on experimental herpetic infection

Experimental data on the protective activity and the capacity for inducing the biosynthesis of some cytokins, the low molecular inductors of cycloferon, endogenic interferon of the acridanon group, in herpetic infection are presented. The herpes infection was modelled by intraperitoneal injection of herpes simplex virus, type 1 into BALB/c mice. In the animals with normal immune status cycloferon induced the formation of serum interferon (INF) in high titers (up to 1:20,000) with the peak achieved 4-8 hours after the injection of the preparation. In addition, cycloferon stimulated the synthesis of IL-2 and gamma INF, but decreased the concentration of IL-1b. Following immunosuppression caused by gamma-radiation or cyclophosphamide the titers of serum interferon decreased 4-8 times. In generalized herpes infection in non-inbred white mice with undamaged immune status cycloferon increased survival rate by 30-100% in comparison with the controls (untreated mice), while in case of immunosuppression the protective effect of this preparation was considerably lower. In infected mice the concentrations of gamma INF, IL-2, IL-1b were found to be elevated in comparison with their concentrations in healthy animals. In the course of the infectious process cycloferon suppressed the production of IL-2 and IL-1b, but did not influence the synthesis of gamma INF.