Advanced researches on the inhibition of influenza virus by Favipiravir and Baloxavir

Anti-influenza drugs are one of themost critical pathways for control of influenza virus infection.Drugs that have been developed or are developing may function via different mechanisms,and so far,inhibitors of influenza virus polymerase are among the most promising types of drugs.Favipiravir and Baloxavir,also named T-705 and Xofluza respectively,have been approved for influenza treatment in Japan and the United States.Favipiravir effectively and selectively inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp)of RNA viruses while Baloxavir specifically targets the cap-dependent endonuclease PA of influenza viruses.These two drugs have been suggested as the first candidate drugs for influenza infection treatment,especially for strains resistant to other anti-influenza drugs.This review will focus on the pharmaceutical mechanisms and anti-influenza activity of these two drugs.