Pyrrolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines and related non-rigid analogues as antiviral agents.

Abstract The pyrrolo[1,2- f ]phenanthridines 8 – 22 and the corresponding non-rigid analogues 23 – 41 were synthesised and their ability to inhibit the replication of HIV-1 was tested. Only the polycyclic derivatives 10 , 11 , and 13 showed a weak anti -HIV activity, whereas several pyrrolo-phenanthridines ( 8 , 10 , 16 – 18 ) were found to stimulate the multiplication of MT-4 cells at low concentrations. Derivative 10 demonstrated to possess the unique property of stimulating the multiplication of lymphocytes joined to HIV inhibition.