New synthetic corticosteroids inhibit Epstein–Barr virus release

Novel spiroandrostene-17,6'-[1,3,4]thiadiazines obtained by synthesis from 16β,17β-epoxy-17-isopregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one and N-aryl-2-hydrazino-2-thioxoacetamide efficiently inhibited the release of Epstein–Barr virus from cells carrying the virus in culture. Other studied steroids, such as Spirolactone, Digitonin, Diosgenin, and Hecogenin were inactive. DMSO alone was found to inhibit the virus release, as well, likely, because of changing properties of the cell membranes. The novel steroids, Spironolactone and most analogues display no or low cell toxicity while Digitonin produced a significant toxic effect.