Mappicine ketone (MPK) 1 is an analog of mappicine 2 (Figure 1), a naturally-derived alkaloid isolated from Mapia foetida Miers (family; Olacaceae).'MPK has been identified as an antiviral lead compound with selective activity against herpesviruses HSV-1, HSV-2, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with PRw's of 2.9, 0.5 and 13.2 pM, respectively. MPK appears to be herpesvirus selective in that it does not inhibit other DNA or RNA viruses. ...