Inhibition of neuraminidase with neuraminic acid C-glycosides

Neuraminic (sialic) acid based α-C-glycosides have been synthesized and their inhibitory activity towards bacterial neuraminidase (sialidase) was examined. While some C-glycosides were found to be potent inhibitors (Ki 15–30 μM) of this neuraminidase, others afforded no measurable activity. The structure–activity relationship of these C-glycosides is discussed in the context of other previously reported sialidase inhibitors.