Description
L-Valacyclovir Hydrochloride — Prodrug of Acyclovir for Virology / Antiviral Research
Product Overview
L-Valacyclovir HCl is the hydrochloride salt form of valacyclovir, the L-valine ester prodrug of acyclovir. In biological systems, it is rapidly converted to acyclovir, which is an active antiviral that inhibits herpesviruses by blocking viral DNA replication. As a research reagent, L-Valacyclovir HCl is useful in virology, antiviral development, mechanism-of-action studies, and pharmacokinetic modeling.
Key Specifications
| Property |
Description / Value |
| Synonyms / Abbreviations |
Valacyclovir hydrochloride, Valacyclovir HCl |
| Chemical Name |
L-valine, 2-[(2-amino-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-9H-purin-9-yl)methoxy]ethyl ester, monohydrochloride
|
| Molecular Formula |
C₁₃H₂₀N₆O₄ · HCl
|
| Molecular Weight |
360.80 g/mol (incl. HCl)
|
| Appearance |
White to off-white powder
|
| Solubility |
Up to ~174 mg/mL in water at 25 °C
|
| pKa Values |
~1.90, ~7.47, and ~9.43
|
| Storage / Handling |
Store protected from moisture and light; handle under good laboratory practice |
Mechanism of Action & Biological Relevance
-
Prodrug conversion: In vivo (or in cellular systems), valacyclovir is enzymatically hydrolyzed to acyclovir and valine.
-
Antiviral activity: The released acyclovir is phosphorylated by virus‐specific thymidine kinase into acyclovir monophosphate, and then further phosphorylated by cellular kinases to the active triphosphate form. The active form acts by:
-
Competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) for incorporation into viral DNA
-
Causing chain termination
-
Inhibiting viral DNA polymerase activity
-
Because viral thymidine kinase preferentially activates acyclovir, the action is somewhat selective toward infected cells.
Suggested Research Applications & Usage Notes
-
Antiviral screening / potency assays
Use valacyclovir HCl as a test compound or reference standard in in vitro assays (cell culture) to evaluate inhibition of herpesvirus replication (e.g. HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV).
-
Mechanistic studies
Investigate prodrug activation, conversion kinetics, and transport (e.g. uptake, esterases) in host or viral systems.
-
Pharmacokinetics / metabolism modeling
Use in cellular or microsomal systems to study conversion to acyclovir and subsequent metabolic fate.
-
Resistance / mutation assays
Examine how viral strains with thymidine kinase or DNA polymerase mutations respond to valacyclovir (or derived acyclovir) exposure.
Usage Tips / Considerations:
-
Prepare solutions just before use, in buffers suitable for stability (e.g. pH near neutrality).
-
Consider including esterase inhibitors or controls if dissecting conversion vs antiviral effect.
-
Use matched controls (acyclovir, prodrug-free) to distinguish effects due to conversion.
-
For cell culture, verify that both uptake and conversion occur in your cell line of interest.
-
Because valacyclovir is chemical precursor to a cytotoxic (viral-targeted) agent, handle with care: wear gloves, protective eyewear, and work in an appropriate containment area.
Safety & Regulatory Notes
-
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
-
Handle under standard laboratory safety protocols. Avoid inhalation, ingestion, or contact with skin/eyes.
-
Dispose of waste in accordance with institutional and regulatory guidelines for antiviral and small molecule compounds.
