6-Deoxycarbovir: A Xanthine Oxidase Activated Prodrug of Carbovir

Abstract

Abstract (-)-(cis)-4-(2-Amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-2-cyclopentenyl carbinol (6-deoxycarbovir) was prepared in order to evaluate prodrug approaches to increased bioavailability of the anti-HIV agent, (-)-carbovir. Incubation experiments demonstrated that 6-deoxycarbovir was rapidly converted to (-)-carbovir by the enzyme, xanthine oxidase. Since xanthine oxidase activity is present in both the intestine and liver, a high first pass conversion to carbovir would be expected in vivo.