| abstract |
Conjugates of a saccharide and an acetamidino- or guanidino-compound, of the formula:wherein A is CH3 or NH2; X is a linear or branched C1-C8 alkyl chain optionally containing hydroxy, amino and/or oxo groups; n is an integer from 1 to 6, and Sac is the residue of a mono-or oligo-saccharide, provided that when A is NH2 and X is -(CH2)3-CH(NH2)-C(=O)-, the monosaccharide residue is not substituted at the position 1, and n is an integer from 2 to 6 when Sac is the residue of an oligosaccharide, are useful as antiviral, particularly as antiretroviral, agents, and can be used either alone or together with other compounds used in AIDS treatment such as AZT and/or protease inhibitors, for the treatment of HIV-infection, AIDS and manifestations of AIDS such as Kaposi sarcoma. Particularly preferred compounds are aminoglycoside-arginine conjugates in which the saccharide is a natural aminoglycoside antibiotic such as kanamycin, gentamycin and neomycin that is conjugated to arginine residues. |