The Antiviral Action of Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Derivatives

Although the PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) and other oligomer guanidines are known as highly efficient biocides against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and eukaryotic cells, the cell protection by PHMG derivatives has been established firstly in this study. The antiviral protection was also exhibited after 15 min pretreatment of different cell cultures with low-concentration of PHMG salts. Monolayers of the continuous bovine tracheal cells culture (TCC) and primary culture of chicken embryo fibroblasts (FCE) were treated with aqueous solutions of PHMG chloride salts or PHMG succinate. The molecules of PHMG polycation adhered to the plasma membrane of the cells tested as they were treated with PHMG for 15-30 min. The viral material was added to the cell cultures after the wash-out carried out twice to rid of unbound PHMG. The viruses of Equine herpesvirus type 1, Rhinotracheitis infectious bovine and Equine infectious anemia virus were used. The protective effect from the cytopathic action of herpes and retroviruses was exhibited after 15 min pretreatment of cell monolayer with PHMG chloride at the TCC concentrations of 10 10% and FCE concentrations of 10 10%. The unique antiviral properties of PHMG salts represented in our research had never been shown before.