Multidrug treatment using repurposing drugs for Hantavirus infection

Multidrug treatment for Hantavirus infection

抄録

Hantaviruses are enveloped, negative‑sense RNA viruses maintained in rodent reservoirs and responsible for two severe human diseases: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS). Despite extensive virological and epidemiological research, no licensed vaccines or specific antiviral therapies exist. Recent outbreaks, including a mass infection event on a cruise ship, underscore the urgent need for effective treatments. This short communication summarizes current antiviral strategies and explores drug repurposing and traditional herbal medicines as practical therapeutic options. Ribavirin and favipiravir have demonstrated protective effects in in vitro and in vivo models, although their efficacy is limited by timing of administration. Additional candidates include statins, which restrict hantavirus infection by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, and benidipine hydrochloride, which blocks viral entry. Phytochemicals identified through in silico screening—such as limonin, luteolin, baicalin, quercetin, kaempferol, and glabridin—are present in Kampo medicines including Keigai‑rengyo‑to (KRT) and Seijo‑bofu‑to (SBT). These formulations, widely used in Japan, may offer antiviral effects due to their bioactive components. Collectively, existing evidence suggests that repurposed pharmaceuticals and Kampo‑based phytochemicals represent promising therapeutic avenues, warranting further validation through controlled clinical trials.