Viral treatment

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition that inhibits or slows the growth of viruses is disclosed. This same composition is can be used to treat viral infections, particularly HIV and hepatitis as well as fungal infections of the genus cryptococcus neoformans or curvularai lunata. The composition comprises from about 10 mg to about 6000 mg of a 2-thienyl-imidazolo [4,5]pyridine of the formula: wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, chloro, bromo or fluoro, oxychloro, hydroxy, sulfhydryl, alkoxy having the formula —O(CH 2 ) y CH 3 wherein y is from 1 to 6, the prodrugs thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The preferred anti-viral compound is and its hydrochloride salt. Mixtures of the 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5] pyridines can also be used to treat viral infections.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of treating viral infections comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine selected from the group consisting of:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, chloro, bromo, fluoro, oxychloro, hydroxy, suflhydryl, alkoxy having the formula —O(CH 2 ) y CH 3  wherein y is from 0 to 6, the prodrugs thereof and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
     
     
         2 . A method of treating viral infections according to  claim 1  wherein the virus is selected from the group consisting of HIV, herpes simplex, hepatitis and Kaposi's sarcoma.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said viral infection is hepatitis C.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said viral infection is HIV.  
     
     
         5 . A method of treating HIV or hepatitis according to  claim 2  comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or the prodrugs thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof from about 1 mg/kg to about 10000 mg/kg of said 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said treatment comprises administering a combination therapy with said pharmaceutical composition.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said viral infections is HIV and wherein said combination therapy comprises administration of a member selected from the group consisting of AZT, TC-3 and protease inhibitors.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine is administered in a solid form and wherein said solid form includes a carrier selected from the group consisting of lactose, sucrose, gelatin, cyclodextrin, cyclodextrin derivatives and agar.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein from about 10 mg/kg body weight to about 6000 mg/kg body weight of said 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine is administered.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein said 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine is administered in a liquid form and wherein said liquid dosage form is selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions, alcohol solutions, emulsions, suspensions, and suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent and effervescent preparations and suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable fats or oils.  
     
     
         12 . A method of treating viral infections comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine having the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n is 1-4, and R is hydrogen or pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof or the prodrugs thereof.  
     
     
         13 . A method of treating viral infections according to  claim 12  wherein the virus is selected from the group consisting of HIV virus, herpes simplex, hepatitis and Kaposi's sarcoma.  
     
     
         14 . A method of treating viral infections according to  claim 12  wherein said virus is hepatitis C.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises from about 1 mg/kg to about 6000 mg/kg of said 2-thienyl- imidazolo [4,5]pyridine.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said method further administration of an combination therapy wherein said combination therapy comprises administration of a member selected from the group consisting of cyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir, Ribavirin, interferon or combinations of Ribavirin and Interferon or beta globulin or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A method of treating fungal infections comprising administering a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine having the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, chloro, bromo, fluoro, oxychloro, hydroxy, suflhydryl, alkoxy having the formula —O(CH 2 ) y CH 3  wherein y is from 1 to 6, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A method of treating fungal infections according to  claim 17  wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein said pharmaceutical composition comprises from about 1 mg/kg to about 6000 mg/kg of said 2-thienyl- imidazolo [4,5]pyridine.  
     
     
         20 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating viral infections a therapeutically effective amount of 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine having the formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, chloro, bromo or fluoro, oxychloro, hydroxy, suflhydryl, alkoxy having the formula —O(CH 2 ) y CH 3  wherein y is from 1 to 6, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.  
     
     
         21 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 20  comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and from about 1 mg to about 6000 mg of 2-thienyl imidazolo [4,5]pyridine or its pharmaceutical addition salts  
     
     
         22 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 20  wherein said pharmaceutical acceptable acid addition salts are selected from the group consisting of chlorides, bromides, sulfates, nitrates, phosphates, sulfonates, formates, tartrates, maleates, malates, citrates, benzoates, salicylates, ascorbates and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 22  comprising from about 150 mg to about 5000 mg of said 2-thienyl- imidazolo [4,5]pyridine.  
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 23  wherein said composition further comprises a pharmaceutical carrier.  
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 24  which is in a solid form comprising a carrier selected from the group consisting of lactose, sucrose, gelatin, cyclodextrin, substituted cyclodextrin and agar.  
     
     
         26 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 25  in a liquid form wherein said liquid dosage form is selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspension solutions, and suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent and effervescent preparations.  
     
     
         27 . A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 26  wherein said liquid dosage form further comprises a member selected from the group consisting of suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, flavorants, colorants, preservatives, emulsifying agents and coloring agents, and mixtures thereof.