INFLUENCE OF THE IMIQUIMOD ON THE INTERFERON PRODUCTION AND TREATMENT OF THE EXPERIMENTAL HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS INFECTION
Background. Imiquimod is an imidazole derivative acting as an immunomodulator on the level of innate and adaptive immune system. Our objective was to evaluate the antiviral activity of generically reproduced imiquimod administered subcutaneously in mice and intravaginally in guinea pigs against herpes simplex virus (HSV), as well as to study the dynamics of serum interferon (IFN) synthesis under different dosing regimens. Results. When administered subcutaneously at doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg imiquimod increased IFN production in mice in a dose-dependent manner with maximum serum IFN concentrations occurring 4 hours after dosing. Imiquimod protected mice from intraperitoneal HSV infection at doses of 3.2 and 32 LD50.The utmost protection (100% survival) was observed when imiquimod was administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg daily for 5 days before infection. Topical application of imiquimod 5% cream exhibited significantly more rapid and complete virus elimination in guinea pigs intravaginally infected with HSV type 2 compared to control group. Conclusion. Imiquimod produced as a generic possesses the same immunomodulatory and antiviral properties as the originally synthesized substance.