LAUSR

Virus inactivation or disinfection is the first line of protection against virus infection. Here, we report for the first time the virus inactivation (virucidal) activities of hydantoin and its derivative, 1-methylhydantoin against enveloped herpes simplex virus type-1. These hydantoin compounds showed favorable interaction with aromatic amino acids, similarly to arginine hydrochloride also exhibiting aromatic interaction and virucidal activities on the same virus. Among them, 1-methylhydantoin demonstrated a greater virucidal activity. Solubility measurements in organic solvents and salting-out salt solutions showed that 1-methylhydantoin is more hydrophobic than others, suggesting that the hydrophobic nature and aromatic interaction play a role in interaction with viral proteins and thereby virucidal activity.