Background
A number of macrocyclic polyamines and/or their metal complexes are known to have anti-HIV activity. For example,CADA compounds are triazacyclododecanes that specifically down-modulate CD4, the principal cellular receptor for HIV. Bicyclams and their metal complexes act as entry inhibitors by a different mechanism, via specific binding to the cellular co-receptor CXCR4. Manganese(II) complexes of certain penta-azacyclo-pentadecanes are superoxide dismutase mimics and reduce oxidative stress in cells; one such compound, M40401, has been reported to decrease apoptosis in HIV-infected astrocytes.