Abstract

In the current context of antiviral drug development, which has been traditionally dominated by herpesviruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), a new viral target has been recently gained unforeseen attention, Ebola virus. Ten nucleoside analogues, or categories thereof, are reviewed for their therapeutic potential as antiviral drugs: (i) BCX4430, a C-nucleoside; (ii) 4’-azido-, 4’-cyano-, and 4’-ethynyl derivatives; (iii) 4’-thionucleosides; (iv) cordycepin (3’-deoxyadeosine); (v) pyrazofurin, another C-nucleoside; (vi) neplanocin A analogues; (vii) EICAR, a ribavirin analogue; (viii) GR-92938X, a double carboxamide; (ix) sofosbuvir (Solvaldi^®), a 2’-C-methylnucleoside; and (x) favipiravir (T-705), a pyrazine analogue.

Keywords: 2’-C-methyl, 4’-azido- and 4’-cyano substituents, 4’-ethynyl, 4-thionucleoside, C-nucleoside, carboxamide, pyrazine.