Evaluation of the antiviral potential and toxicity of the bioconjugate AG-FALALKALKKALKKL-COOH in a murine model.

• Grant number: 23/11933-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Ricardo da Silva Sanches
• Grantee: Caio Gonçalves do Amaral
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus primarily transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes from the Aedes genus, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It was first identified in monkeys in the Zika Forest in Uganda in 1947 and was subsequently found in humans in several countries in Africa and Asia. However, it gained worldwide attention due to its rapid spread in the Americas starting in 2015. It is characterized by causing flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, joint and muscle pain, skin rashes, and conjunctivitis. Generally, the symptoms are mild and self-limiting, lasting about a week. However, the major concern with the Zika virus is its association with neurological complications, especially microcephaly in babies born to mothers infected during pregnancy. Additionally, ZIKV has also been linked to other neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to muscle weakness and temporary paralysis.In this context, the development of new molecules that assist in combating infections caused by this virus is of great importance. In this study, we intend to evaluate the antiviral potential and toxicity of the bioconjugate AG-FALALKALKKALKKL-COOH (AG-metabolite 5), aiming to provide information about its effectiveness in inhibiting ZIKV (strain PE243) and reducing pathological effects, as well as its toxic effects in a murine model. This could contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies to treat ZIKV infections and prevent complications associated with this infection.