Abstract:
The preparation of 9-[α-(2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl) cyclopentyl)]-6-substituted purines: ##STR1## and their derivatives wherein R is amino, mercapto, methylmercapto, hydroxy, halogen, or substituted amino: ##STR2## wherein R&#39; and R&#34; may be the same or different and are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl. The compounds exhibit anti-viral and antitumor activity and are resistant to adenosine deaminase. Acid salts and esters of the purine nucleosides have also been prepared.

Description:
The invention described herein was made in part in the course of work under a grant or award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. 
    
    
     This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 181,382, filed Aug. 22, 1980, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 1,072, filed January 5, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,672, issued May 19, 1981, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 766,947, filed Feb. 9, 1977, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,562, issued Feb. 6, 1979. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is directed to certain chemotherapeutic materials useful in the treatment of viral infections and tumors associated with viruses. More specifically, the invention is directed to adenosine deaminase resistant antiviral purine nucleosides. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The antiviral nucleoside 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A) was first synthesized in a program designed to produce anticancer agents. A major liability in the use of ara-A lies in the fact that the nucleoside is rapidly deaminated by a commonly occurring enzyme, adenosine deaminase. Deamination of ara-A renders it much less effective and high doses of the drug are required at frequent intervals. A major effort to circumvent the deamination problem employs the use of ara-A in combination with adenosine deaminase inhibitors. This approach presents a problem in that the Food and Drug Administration is reluctant to approve and physicians are reluctant to prescribe a compound that inhibits an enzyme with a normal body function. A more desirable approach to the development of a more active antiviral or antitumor agent involves the use of a deamination resistant ara-A derivative. The carbocyclic ara-A analogs described herein circumvent the major disadvantage of ara-A because they are completely resistant to degradation by adenosine deaminase. 
     Bennett et al (Mol. Pharmacol. 4, 208-217, 1968) and Hill et al (Chem. Abstracts, 75, 86554s, 1971) disclose certain carbocyclic ribonucleosides which are said to have biological activity, although not possessing antiviral properties. The 2&#39; hydroxyls of these ribonucleosides are trans (or down) to the heterocyclic ring. The carbocyclic ribonucleosides are not resistant to adenosine deaminase. Shealy et al (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 91, 3075-83, 1969) and Holy (Nucleic Acids Res., Spec. Publ., Symp. Chem. Nucleic Acids Components, 3rd, 1975) disclose similar ribonucleosides. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to the adenosine deaminase resistant purine nucleosides: ##STR3## wherein R is amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, methylmercapto or substituted amino: ##STR4## wherein R&#39; and R&#34; are either the same or different and are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl, and acid salts and esters thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The single FIGURE of the accompanying drawing is a flow diagram showing the preparation of the purine nucleosides. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Acidic hydrolysis of 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one (1, referring to the corresponding number on the flow sheet) to cis-4-aminocyclopent-2-ene carboxylic acid hydrochloride, followed by esterification of the carboxyl function in refluxing methanol and subsequent acetylation of the amino group in acetic anhydride-pyridine, gives methyl-cis-4-acetamidocyclopent-2-ene carboxylate (2). Reduction of the methyl ester of 2 gives, after acetylation, acetate 3. Epoxidation of acetate 3 is stereoselective due to the syn-directing allylic amide group, giving only the cis-epoxide 4. Hydrolysis of the epoxide 4 and subsequent acetylation gives a mixture of 5, 6 and 6a. 
     When the major isomer, 4α-acetamido-2β, 3α-diacetoxy-1α-cyclopentanemethyl acetate (5) is subjected to mild acidic hydrolysis, amine 7 is formed, since acyl migration to the adjacent cis-hydroxyl facilitates hydrolysis of the acetamide. Amine 7, a hygroscopic gum, is immediately condensed with 5-amino-4,6-dihalopyrimidine, giving intermediate 5-amino-4N-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]amino-6-halopyrimidine (8). This intermediate, when treated with ring closing reagents, leads to purine nucleoside analogs 9. 
     The nucleoside analogs (called carbocyclic arabinosyl adenosine analogs) 9 are converted to a series of antiviral and antitumor agents by reaction with substituting agents for adding a substituent in the 6-position of 10. These substituting agents (R:) are selected from the group consisting of amino, mercapto, methylmercapto, hydroxy and substituted amine. The antiviral compounds are represented by structure 10. The 2&#39; hydroxyl of these carbocyclic arabinonucleosides are cis (or up) to the heterocyclic ring. 
     The invention is illustrated by the following examples: 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     The intermediate, 5-amino-4-N-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]amino-6-chloropyrimidine (8), was prepared as follows: 
     Methyl cis-4-acetamidocyclopent-2-enecarboxylate (2). 
     2-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one (Jagt et al, J. Org. Chem., 39, 564 (1974)). (64.2 g, 0.588 mole) was dissolved in 5% HCl (2500 ml) and the solution stirred at room temperature (RT) for 3.5 days. A small amount of gummy solid was filtered off, and the filtrate was cooled (ice bath) while sufficient 6 N NaOH (ca. 500 ml) was added to give pH 1.0. The pale yellow solution was evaporated to dryness (&lt;50%, 0.5 mm). The residue was azeotroped with PhH-MeOH, dried at 0.1 mm/RT, and then refluxed in dry MeOH (1 liter) for 18 hrs. The NaCl was filtered off and washed with additional MeOH. The MeOH filtrate-wash was evaporated to dryness and the residual yellow syrup dissolved in pyridine (500 ml). Acetic anhydride (300 ml) was added to the cooled (ice bath) solution. The solution was allowed to come to RT. After 1.0 hr. at RT, the solution was evaporated (&lt;50°, 0.5 mm) to dryness. The residue was dissolved in CH 2  Cl 2   (500 ml) and extracted with sat&#39;d NaHCO 3  (3×200 ml), sat&#39;d NaCl (50 ml), and dried (CaSO 4 ). Evaporation and azeotroping with toluene (3×200 ml, to remove pyridine) left a yellow syrup (103.5 g) which solidified within a few minutes with the generation of considerable heat. The nmr spectrum of this off-white solid was identical with that of an analytical sample. Sublimation (70°-80°, 0.003 mm) gave methyl-cis-4-acetamidocyclopent-2-enecarboxylate as white crystals (96.1 g, 89%); mp 66°-67° cis-4-Acetamidocyclopent-2-enemethyl Acetate (3). A mixture of CaCl 2  (31.8 g, 0.286 mole) and NaBH 4  (21.7 g, 0.572 mole) in dry tetrahydrafuran (THF) (freshly distilled from lithium aluminum hydride) (LAH), (600 ml) was stirred at RT for 1.0 hr. A solution of 2 (35.0 g, 0.191 mole) in dry THF (500 ml) was added all at once. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 18 hrs. It was then cooled (ice bath) and ice-H 2  O (700 ml) added dropwise (much effervescence at first). Cold 6 N HCl (110 ml) was then added (to a pH of 1.5) and the resulting clear solution stirred at RT for 1.0 hr. Evaporation, azeotroping with MeOH (4×500 ml), then with pyridine (2×500 ml) gave a mixture of white solid and pale yellow syrup. Pyridine (250 ml) was added, and the insoluble inorganics filtered off. Acetic anhydride (250 ml) was added to the pyridine filtrate and stirring continued at RT for 18 hrs. After evaporation, MeOH (250 ml) was added to the residual syrup and the resulting solution refluxed for 10 min. After evaporation of the MeOH, the residue was stirred with CH 2  Cl 2  (500 ml)--H 2  O (250 ml) while sufficient solid NaHCO 3  was added to make the aqueous layer basic. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with additional CH 2  Cl 2  (2×250 ml). The combined CH 2  Cl 2  layers were dried (CaSO 4 ) and evaporated. The residue was azeotroped with toluene (3×250 ml), leaving a yellow oil (39.1 g); pmr almost identical to that of an analytical sample. Distillation gave a colorless syrup (36.7 g, 98%), bp 132°-134° (0.04 mm), which solidified on standing to white crystals, mp 62°-63°. Sublimation of such a sample (60°, 0.1 mm) gave an analytical sample of 3 as white crystals: mp 62°-63°. 
     4α-Acetamido-2α,3α-epoxycyclopentane-1α-methyl Acetate (4). 
     A solution of 3 (36.7 g, 0.186 mole) and m-chloroperbenzoic acid (37.8 g, 85%, 0.186 mole) in CCl 4  (700 ml) was refluxed for 2.0 hrs. The solution was concentrated to 200 ml and CH 2  Cl 2  (500 ml) added. This solution was extracted with sat&#39;d NaHCO 3  (150 ml), dried (CaSO 4 ), and evaporated, leaving 4 as a yellow oil (40.8 g) which solidified on standing. 
     4α-Acetamido-2β,3α-diacetoxy-1α-cyclopentanemethyl Acetate (5) and 4α-Acetamido-2α,3β-diacetoxy-1α-cyclopentanemethyl Acetate (6). A solution of crude 4 (7.42 g, 34.8 mmoles) in 2% H 2  SO 4  (450 ml) was warmed (steam bath) for 1.0 hr. A small amount of gummy solid was filtered off (most m-chlorobenzoic acid contaminating 4). The pH of the cooled filtrate was adjusted to 7 (indicator paper) with 6 N NaOH. The H 2  O was evaporated and the residue dissolved in pyridine (2×200 ml) and evaporated. The residual syrup was dissolved in Ac 2  O (100 ml)-pyridine (200 ml) and stirred at RT overnight. After evaporation, the residue was dissolved in CH 2  Cl 2  (250 ml), extracted with sat&#39;d NaHCO 3  (25 ml), and dried (CaSO 4 ). Evaporation, followed azeotroping off pyridine with toluene, left brown syrup (9.61 g). Crystallization from EtOAc gave 5 as white prisms (5.77 g, 53%), mp 137.5°-138.5°. 
     The mother liquors from crystallization of 5 contained an approximately 1:1 mixture of 5 and 6 (from NH resonances in pmr spectrum). Although some slight separation appeared on the (5% MeOH-CHCl 3 , silica gel), column chromatography of the mother liquor contents on silica gel (250 g) with elution by 1% MeOH-CHCl 3  gave only a slight enrichment of the early fractions in the minor isomer (about 60:40 by pmr). The mixture of 5 and 6 (3.30 g, 10.5 mmoles) was dissolved in 2 N HCl (100 ml) and maintained at 70° (oil bath) for 1.0 hr. The solution was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in H 2  O and the solution stirred briefly with IRA-400(OH - ) resin (30 ml). The solution (presumed to be 7+6a) was passed slowly through a column of IRA-120(H + ) resin (60 ml). Elution of the column with H 2  O and azeotroping with abs. EtOH produced 6a as a colorless syrup (1.13 g, 5.97 mmoles, 17% from 4). The syrup was reacetylated in Ac 2  O-pyridine (as above), giving 6 as a colorless syrup (1.58 g, 14% from 4). 
     4α-Amino-2β,3α-dihydroxy-1α-cyclopentanemethanol (7). 
     A solution of 5 (3.37 g, 10.7 mmoles) in 2 N HCl (100 ml) was maintained at 70° (oil bath) for 1.0 hr. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in MeOH (100 ml) and stirred briefly with IRA-400(OH - ) resin (25 ml). Evaporation left 7 as a viscous syrup which could not be solidified and turned yellow on standing. Since 7 appeared to carbonate on exposure to air, it was used immediately. 
     5-amino-4 N-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]amino-6-chloropyrimidine (8). A solution of 7 (syrup from hydrolysis of 10.7 mmoles of 5), 5-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine (3.51 g, 21.4 mmoles), and triethylamine (7.5 ml, 53.5 mmoles) in 1-BuOH (50 ml) was refluxed under N 2  for 24 hrs. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue partitioned between H 2  O (80 ml) and CHCl 3  (40 ml). The aqueous layer was separated and extracted with additional CHCl 3  (3×10 ml). The combined CHCl 3  layers showed only 5-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine on tlc. The aqueous layer was stirred briefly with IRA-400(OH - ) resin (18 ml). The H 2  O was then evaporated and the residue dried by azeotroping with abs. EtOH, giving chromatographically homogeneous 8 as a pale yellow glass (3.4 g, contains EtOH). Such a sample was sufficiently pure for use in the following reactions. Two recrystallizations of such a sample from abs. EtOH gave 8 as an off-white powder, 72% from 5: mp 184°-186°. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     The purine nucleoside analog 6-chloro-9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]purine (9) was prepared as follows: 
     A solution of crude 8 (ca. 4.8 mmoles) in diethoxymethyl acetate (20 ml) was stirred at RT overnight and then at 100° (oil bath) for 1.0 hr. The solution was evaporated and then azeotroped with abs. EtOH and dried at 0.05 mm for 2 days. The residual brown syrup (3.4 g) still smelled like diethoxymethyl acetate; tlc shows several spots at R f  greater than that of 8 or 9. The syrup was stirred vigorously with 0.5 N HCl (120 ml) at RT for 30 min. The resulting solution was adjusted to pH 7.8 (meter) by addition of IRA-400 (OH - ) resin evaporation left white solid (0.98 g, 72%), which tlc showed to be chromatographically homogeneous 9. An analytical sample of 9 was prepared by two recrystallization of such a sample from abs. EtOH, giving white clusters of needles: mp 210°-212° dec. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     The amino substituted derivative (10a) of the -6-substituted purine 10 was prepared from the intermediate 8 as follows: 
     9-[α-(2α,3β-Dihydroxy-4α(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentyl)]adenine (C-ara-A) (Cyclaradine) (10a). A solution of crude 8 (ca. 4.1 mmoles) in diethoxymethyl acetate (25 ml) was stirred at RT overnight and then at 100° (oil bath) for 1.0 hr. Alternatively, triethyl orthoformate has been used to close the ring. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue shaken with NH 3  (1., 50 ml) in a stainless steel bomb at RT overnight. The NH 3  was allowed to evaporate and the residue dissolved in 1 N HCl (100 ml) and stirred at 60° (oil bath) for 45 min. The solution was evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in MeOH and passed through a column of IRA-400(OH - ) resin (20 ml). The MeOH eluent (250 ml) was evaporated, the tan solid residue (870 mg) was triturated with abs (EtOH, giving 10a as white powder (824 mg, 76%), mp 253°-255°  dec. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     The hydroxyl substituted derivative (10b) of the -6-substituted purine 10 was prepared as follows: 
     9-[2α,3β-Dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]hypoxanthine (10b). A sample of 8 (2.0 mmoles) which had been treated with diethoxymethyl acetate as described in Example 2  in the preparation of 9 was then refluxed in 1 N HCl (25 ml) for 3.5 hrs. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in H 2  O (25 ml). The pH was adjusted to 5-6 by addition of IRA-400 (OH - ) resin in small portions. Evaporation, followed by azeotroping with abs. EtOH, left chromatographically homogeneous 10b as a white powder (257 mg), mp 220°-222° dec. Crystallization from MeOH gave white granules (247 mg, 46%): mp 221.5°-223.5° dec. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     The mercapto substituted derivative (10c) of the -6-substituted purine 10 was prepared as follows: 
     9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]-9H-purine-6(1H)-thione (10c). A solution of 9 (310 mg, 1.09  mmoles) and thiourea (142 mg, 1.86 mmoles) in 1-propanol (8 ml) was refluxed for 45 min., at which time white solid had precipitated. The mixture was cooled and the solid filtered off and washed with 1-propanol (2×2 ml), giving 12 as white powder (237 mg, 77%), same melting characteristics and tlc as an analytical sample. Crystallization from H 2  O gave an analytical sample of 12 as white granules (185 mg): mp dependent of rate of heating, starts to dec. at ca. 270°, black fluid by ca. 280°. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     The methylmercapto substituted derivative (10d) of the -6-substituted purine 10 was prepared as follows: 
     9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]-6-(methylthio)purine (10d). A mixture of crude 10c (174 mg, 0.616 mmole), methyl iodide (0.25 ml), 1.0 N NaOH (0.62 ml), and H 2  O (2.0 ml) was stirred at RT for 4.0 hrs. The resulting solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue chromatographed on a column of silica gel G (Brinkmann, 20 g, packed in CHCl 3 ). Elution with 5% MeOH-CHCl 3  and combination of the UV-absorbing fractions gave 10d as white powder (45 mg, 25%), chromatographically homogeneous. Resolidification of such a sample from abs. EtOH gave an analytical sample as white flakes: mp 232°:234°. 
     Acid salts of cyclaradine are prepared as follows: 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]adenine hydrochloride. To 283 mg (1 mmole) of 10a was added 10 ml of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid. The solution was warmed to 60° for five minutes and then evaporated in vacuo to a white solid. The solid was triturated with absolute ethanol (10 ml) at 0°-5°. The analytical product was obtained by filtration of the triturate and gave a crystalline solid: 250 mg. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     The crystalline sulphate salt was obtained when 10 ml of 0.1 N sulfuric acid was added to 283 mg of 10a and the reaction mixture was treated as in Example 7 above. 
     Acid addition salts of the claimed compounds may be used to prepare other compounds of the invention. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     The monoesters of cyclaradine (10a): ##STR5## wherein R is H, CH 3 , C 2  H 5 , C 3  H 7 , C 4  H 9 , C 5  H 11 , C 6  H 13 , C 7  H 15 , C 8  H 17 , C 9  H 19 , C 10  H 21 , C 11  H 23 , C 12  H 25 , C 13  H 27 , C 14  H 29 , C 15  H 31  or C 16  H 33  were prepared by condensation of the corresponding acid chloride with 10a according to the general procedure exemplified by the preparation of the valerate ester (R=C 4  H 9 ): 
     9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]adenine 4-valerate. The hydrochloride salt of 10a (73 mg) was suspended in 3 ml of dimethylformamide. Valeryl chloride (35 mg) in 1 ml of dimethylformamide was added dropwise to the suspension, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. After removal of the solvent, the residue was dissolved in water and the aqueous solution was washed with chloroform to remove excess valeryl chloride. The aqueous solution was neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield a solid product (30 mg). The solid was purified on a prep-tlc (silica gel) plate developed with 20 percent methanol in methylene chloride. The pure valerate was extracted from the silica gel with the developing solvent and yielded a white powder: mp 151°-153°, mass spectra m/e 349 (M + .). 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     The formate ester (R=H) was prepared by dissolving 10a in anhydrous formic acid and allowing the resulting solution to stand for 4 days at 5°. Isolation of the ester was as in Example 9 above. 
     EXAMPLE 11 
     The cytotoxicity of cyclaradine was evaluated by growing P-388 mouse lymphoid leukemia cells in the presence of either cyclaradine or ara-A using the method described by Almquist et al, J. Med. Chem., 16, 1396 (1973). Both ara-A and cyclaradine exhibited LD 50  concentrations of 1×10 -5  M. In contrast to ara-A, the carbocyclic analog cyclaradine is completely resistant to deamination by adenosine deaminase. Thus, under conditions in which ara-A is completely deaminated (1 μmole/min/unit of enzyme) by calf intestinal adenosine deaminase (type III, Sigma) no detectable deamination of cyclaradine was observed. In addition, cyclaradine did not inhibit the enzymatic deamination of either ara-A or adenosine. 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     Cyclaradine was examined for in vitro antiviral activity against two representative DNA-containing animal viruses by the quantitative determination of its ability to inhibit virus-induced cytopathogenic effects (cpe) in infected cultures. The viruses employed in these assays were herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (strain HF) and vaccinia virus (VV) (Strain Lederle Chorioallantoic). Both viruses are propagated and assayed for infectivity in continuous-passage human epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx (HEp-2) cells. A virus rating (VR) was calculated for the activity of cyclaradine against each virus by the use of a modification of the method of Ehrlich et al, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 130, 5 (1965) previously described by Sidwell et al, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 131, 1226 (1969), except that triplicate cultures rather than duplicate cultures were employed for each assay. The results are shown in Table I: 
     
                       TABLE I______________________________________In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Cyclaradine                           MED.sub.50.sup.bChallenge Virus Virus Rating (VR).sup.a                           (g/ml)______________________________________Herpes simplex virus, type 1           2.2             9.0           3.5             2.8Vaccinia virus  1.5             9.0           1.7             9.0______________________________________ .sup.a Virus rating (VR): a weighted measurement of antiviral activity, based on the in vitro inhibition of virusinduced cytopathogenic effects (cpe) and the cytotoxicity exhibited by the drug, determined by a modification of the method of Ehrlich et al (supra). A VR ≧ 1.0 indicates definite (+) antiviral activity; a VR of 0.5-0.9 indicates marginal to moderate (±) antiviral activity; and a VR &lt; 0.5 indicates no (-) apparent antiviral activity .sup.b Minimum effective dose, 50% (MED.sub.50): the minimum drug dose required for 50% inhibition of virusinduced cpe. 
    
     As can be seen, cyclaradine demonstrated highly significant antiviral activity against HSV and VV with VR&#39;s ranging from 1.5 to 3.5. The approximate MED 50  for cyclaradine appears to be about 9 μg/ml. 
     EXAMPLE 13 
     A chemotherapy experiment with cyclaradine (C-ara-A) against lethal HSV-1 infections in mice was conducted by an independent research laboratory. The data are contained in the two following summary tables: Table 2 shows the actual death patterns for treated and control mice and also gives the average body weights of the animals on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Table 3 summarizes the mortality and mean survival time data in a format suitable for publication. 
     It can be seen that 95 percent of the virus-inoculated control mice died, with a mean survival time of 8.4 days for the dying animals. The positive control drug (ara-A) exhibited significant in vivo activity in this model system by reducing the mortality down to 0 to 10 percent when administered at non-toxic dose levels of 125 to 250 mg/kg/day on the qd 1-7 schedule. Likewise, the carbocyclic analog of ara-A (cyclaradine) was also found to be highly effective in the treatment of these HSV-1 infections in mice, reducing the mortality down to 0 to 10 percent when administered at the non-toxic dose levels of 112.5 to 450 mg/kg/day on the same schedule. Cyclaradine at 900 mg/kg/day was apparently not lethally toxic for uninfected animals, but proved to be quite toxic for the HSV-infected mice. The mean survival time of dying animals in this latter group was observed to be significantly reduced to 4.3 days. The increase in mean survival time of the one dying animal which was treated with cyclaradine at 450 mg/kg/day was not statistically significant. These data indicate that cyclaradine is essentially as active as ara-A against HSV-1 in vivo. 
     Cyclaradine was obviously better tolerated than ara-A at the higher dose levels. Significant mortality and severe weight loss was obtained in mice treated with ara-A at 755.3 mg/kg/day on the qd 1-7 schedule (the approx. LD 10  for ara-A on this schedule is 600 mg/kg/day). On the other hand, treatment with cyclaradine at an equimolar dose (750 mg/kg/day) produced no significant weight loss or apparent toxicity in the treated animals. 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     Comparison of Adenosine Deaminase Activity on Ara-A, Cyclaradine, and Carbocyclic Adenosine (Aristeromycin). 
     Solutions containing 1×10 -4  M of either Ara-A, Cyclaradine, or Aristeromycin in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, and 17.75 units/ml of calf intestinal mucosa adenosine deaminase (Sigma Chemical Company) were incubated for 2 hours at 25° C. Spectral analysis by ultraviolet spectroscopy revealed a complete conversion of Ara-A and Aristeromycin to the corresponding deaminated products-evidenced by a complete shift in absorbance from 265 nm to 250 nm. In the case of cyclaradine, no conversion to deaminated product was detected even after overnight incubation. The deaminated products were further identified by thin-layer chromatography using authentic samples for reference. 
     EXAMPLE 15 
     The monophosphate ester of cyclaradine (10a): ##STR6## was prepared as follows: 
     -9-[2α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-1α-yl]adenine 4-dihydrogen phosphate (13a). A solution of trimethyl phosphate (6 ml), 10a (567 mg) and phosphoryl chloride (0.37 ml) was stirred at -10° for 3 hours and the clear solution was then poured into water (175 ml) and the solution was stirred at rt for 1 hour, neutralized with ammonium hydroxide and passed through a column of Amberlite (H + ) resin (20 g). The column was washed with water, then 1 N ammonium hydroxide (500 ml). The basic eluent was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in water. To this solution was added 6 N hydrochloric acid (0.35 ml) and ethanol (5 ml). The solution was cooled to -20° and allowed to refrigerate overnight. The pure product was removed by filtration and gave a white solid: yield, 368 mg; mp 230°-232°. 
     The invention comprises pharmaceutically acceptable purine arabinonucleosides as disclosed or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for administration in effective non-toxic dose form. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be salts of organic acids, such as lactic, acidic, malic, or p-toluene sulphonic acid, and the like, as well as salts of pharmaceutically acceptable mineral acids, such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, and the like. Other salts may be prepared and then converted by conventional double decomposition methods into pharmaceutically acceptable salts directly suitable for purposes of treatment of viral infections in mammals. 
     Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are materials useful for the purpose of administering the purine arabinonucleosides and may be solid, liquid or gaseous materials, which are otherwise inert and medically acceptable and are compatible with the active ingredients. These pharmaceutical compositions may be administered parenterally, orally, used as a suppository or pessary, applied topically as an ointment, cream, aerosol, powder, or given as eye or nose drops, etc., depending upon whether the preparation is used for treatment of internal or external virus infections. 
     For internal virus infections, the compositions may be administered orally or parenterally at effective non-toxic antivirus dose levels of about 50 to 750 mg/kg/day of body weight given in one dose or several smaller doses throughout the day. For oral administration, fine powders or granules may contain diluting, dispersing and/or surface active agents and may be presented in water or in a syrup; in capsules in the dry state, or in a non-aqueous solution or suspension; in tablets, or the like. Where desirable or necessary, flavoring, preserving, suspending, thickening or emulsifying agents may be included. For parenteral administration or for administration as drops, as for eye infections, the compounds may be presented in aqueous solution in an effective non-toxic dose in concentration of from about 0.1 to 10 percent w/v. The solutions may contain antoxidants, buffers, etc. Alternatively, for infections of the eye or other external tissues, the compositions are preferably applied as a topical ointment or cream in concentration of about 0.1 to 10 percent w/v. 
     It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________The Effect of Carbocyclic Arabinosyladenine (C--Ara--A) Treatment onHerpesSimplex Virus, Type 1, Infections in MiceHost: Random-bred Swiss mice, female, from Charles                         Drug Treatment:                                  C--Ara--A was suspended in 0.9%                                  NaCl River Breeding Laboratories, Inc.                                  solution containing 0.3%                                  hydroxypropyl-Virus: Herpes simplex virus, type 1, strain HS-123.                                  cellulose (HPC) at four different                                  con- Equal volumes of 10% mouse brain suspensions                                  centrations so that a single daily                                  dose from the 8th and 9th intracerebral (i.c.)                                  volume of 0.01 ml/gm of body                                  weight mouse passages were pooled and diluted 1:3                                  equaled 900, 450, 225, and 112.5                                  mg/kg/ in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The mice                                  day. were infected by inoculating each mouse                                  9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine                                  (NSC intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.3 ml of the                                  404241; Ara--A) was suspended in                                  the 1:3 dilution.                    same manner so that a single daily                                  dosePeriod of Observation: 21 days.        volume of 0.01 ml/gm of body                                  weight equaled                                  250 and 125 mg/kg/day.                                  The drugs were administered once                                  daily                                  for 7 days beginning 4 hours after                                  virus                                  inoculation.                                       Mortality:           Death Pattern               No. Dead/                                              Avg. Body Wt.Drug Dose       No. of Days Post-Virus Inoculation:                                       Total No.                                              gm on Day:mg/kg/day Animal Group           3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10                           11                             12                               13                                 14                                   15-21                                       of Mice (%)                                              0  7  14 21__________________________________________________________________________0     Virus controls, 4 4 4 1 3 1 1   1     19/20                                           95 19.8                                                 21.5                                                    25 26.5 untreated900   C--Ara--A + virus           2       1                   3/10                                           30 19.8                                                 18.1                                                    20.6                                                    22.6 C--Ara--A toxicity                    0/5 0  21.8                                                 22.5                                                    25.3                                                    28 controls450   C--Ara--A + virus         1           1/10                                           10 19.7                                                 19.3                                                    23.3                                                    23.8* C--Ara--A toxicity                    0/5 0  21.6                                                 22.6                                                    25.9                                                    28.3 controls225   C--Ara--A + virus                     0/10                                           0  19.6                                                 21.8                                                    24.1                                                    25.6 C--Ara--A toxicity                    0/5 0  21.8                                                 24.4                                                    26.8                                                    29.3 controls112.5 C--Ara--A + virus 1                   1/10                                           10 19.9                                                 22.4                                                    24  26.9 C--Ara--A toxicity                    0/5 0  21.8                                                 24.5                                                    26.5                                                    28.5 controls250   Ara--A + virus    1                   1/10                                           10 19.9                                                 20.3                                                    23.1                                                    25.9 Ara--A toxicity                       0/10                                           0  21.7                                                 25.1                                                    26.6                                                    29.1 controls125   Ara--A + virus                        0/10                                           0  20 23.4                                                    25.9                                                    28.2 Ara--A toxicity                       0/10                                           0  21.7                                                 25.4                                                    27.3                                                    29.5 controls0     HPC, sham-injected                    0/10                                           0  23.5                                                 26.8                                                    29.7                                                    31.7 i.p. qd 1-70     PBS, sham-injected                    0/10                                           0  22 27.7                                                    29.4                                                    31.7 i.p. 1X0     Normal, untreated                     0/15                                           0  22.5                                                 27.1                                                    29.0                                                    31.2 animals__________________________________________________________________________ *Note: One animal, moribund on day 21, weighed 11.5 gm. This animal had been sic 4-5 days. 
    
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________Effect of Treatment with Ara--A and with the CarbocyclicAnalog of Ara--A (C--Ara--A) on Mortality of Random-bredSwiss Mice Inoculated i.p. with Herpesvirus hominis type 1       Virus-infected Animls                     Uninfected  Drug               Mean    Animals    Dose     Mortality     Sur-  Mortality    (mg/     (No.          vival (No.    kg/      dead/         Time  dead/Drug     day).sup.1             total)   %    (days).sup.2                                 total) %______________________________________None     --       19/20    95   8.4    0/35  0Ara--A.sup.3    250      1/10     10*.sup.4                           7.0    0/10  0&#34;        125      0/10     0*   --     0/10  0C--Ara--A.sup.3    900      3/10     30** 4.3.sup.+                                 0/5    0&#34;        450      1/10     10*  11.0.sup.++                                 0/5    0&#34;        225      0/10     0*   --    0/5    0&#34;          112.5  1/10     10*  7.0   0/5    0______________________________________ .sup.1 Drugs were administered i.p. once daily for seven days beginning 4 hours after virus inoculation. .sup.2 Only animals dying on or before day 21 after virus inoculation wer considered. .sup.3 Ara--A = 9D-Arabinofuranosyladenine. C--Ara--A = Carbocyclic analo of 9D-Arabinofuranosyladenine. .sup.4 Probability that the observed increase in survivor number (X.sup.2test) or the observed increase or reduction in mean survival time (ttest) was due to chance. *p &lt; &lt; 0.0005; **p &lt; 0.001; .sup.+ p &lt; 0.005; .sup.++ p &gt; 0.10. A pvalue of &lt;0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference; a pvalue of &lt;0.001 was considered to indicate a conclusive difference.