We compared the anti-poliovirus activities of three flavones, quercetin, luteolin and 3-methylquercetin, which differ only at ring position 3. 3-Methylquercetin was the most potent compound. Quercetin exhibited antiviral activity only when protected against oxidative degradation by ascorbate. The antiviral activity of luteolin was comparable to that of ascorbate-stabilized quercetin.
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