Inhibition of HIV infection of H9 cells by chlorpromazine derivatives

Chlorpromazine may be capable of preventing HIV from infecting T cells especially when used in conjunction with zidovudine. The initial step in T cell infection occurs when the gp120 viral protein binds to the CD4 T cell receptor. This involves an electrostatic attachment that could be blocked by charged molecules such as chlorpromazine. Researchers studied several derivatives of chlorpromazine and found that 7,8-dioxo-chlorpromazine blocked the attachment of recombinant gp120 and also prevented infection of a T cell culture in the presence of zidovudine.