Abstract
The cell wall sulfated polysaccharide of the red microalga Porphyridium sp. exhibited impressive antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) both in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (rats and rabbits). Depending on the concentration, this polysaccharide completely inhibited or slowed down the development of the cytopathic effect in HSV-infected cells, but did not show any cytotoxic effects on vero cells even when a concentration as high as 250 μg/ml was used. There was indirect evidence for a strong interaction between the polysaccharide and HSV and a weak interaction with the cell surface. When tested in vivo, Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide conferred significant and efficient protection against HSV-1 infection: at a concentration as low as 100 μg/ml, it prevented the appearance and development of symptoms of HSV-1 infection in rats and rabbits. The polysaccharide did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 2 mg/ml in vivo.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 189-200 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 4 Jan 2002 |
Keywords
- Antiviral activity
- Cytopathic effect
- Herpes simplex virus
- Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide
- Red microalgae
- Sulfated polysaccharide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry