Influenza A viruses (IAVs) have caused worldwide epidemics and pandemics by reassortment and generation of drug-resistant mutants, which render antivirals and current vaccinations no longer usable. In this study, an itaconic acid derivative 1 was identified from a chemical library of 20 000 compounds, by performing a cell-based screening assay, as a lead agent exhibiting anti-influenza A activity. Accordingly, a series of itaconic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized by adopting a rational design strategy to obtain more potent anti-influenza agents. The results of an in vitro pharmacological study showed that compounds 4 and 8 exhibited the most potent anti-IAV effect with half-maximal effective concentration values of 0.14 and 0.11 μM, respectively, in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. The mechanism of action studies showed that lead agents 1 and 4 reduced virus replication by directly targeting IAV nucleoproteins and disrupting virus ribonucleoprotein export from the nucleus to the cytosol. On the basis of its high potential as an anti-IAV agent and its selectivity index >785, compound 4 was found to be a promising candidate for further development against IAVs.
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