Antiviral activity of lambda-carrageenan against influenza viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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| Abstract |
Influenza virus and coronavirus, belonging to enveloped RNA viruses, are major causes of human respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the broad spectrum antiviral activity of a naturally existing sulfated polysaccharide, lambda-carrageenan (λ-CGN), purified from marine red algae. Cell culture-based assays revealed that the macromolecule efficiently inhibited both influenza A and B viruses with EC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 1.4 μg/ml, as well as currently circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with an EC50 value of 0.9 ± 1.1 μg/ml. No toxicity to the host cells was observed at concentrations up to 300 μg/ml. Plaque titration and western blot analysis verified that λ-CGN reduced expression of viral proteins in cell lysates and suppressed progeny virus production in culture supernatants in a dose-dependent manner. This polyanionic compound exerts antiviral activity by targeting viral attachment to cell surface receptors and preventing virus entry. Moreover, its intranasal administration to mice during influenza A viral challenge not only alleviated infection-mediated reductions in body weight but also protected 60% of mice from virus-induced mortality. Thus, λ-CGN could be a promising antiviral agent for preventing infection with several respiratory viruses.
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| Authors | Yejin Jang, Heegwon Shin, Myoung Kyu Lee, Oh Seung Kwon, Jin Soo Shin, Yong-Il Kim, Chan Woo Kim, Hye-Ra Lee, Meehyein Kim |
| Journal | Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 821 (01 12 2021) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England |
| PMID | 33436985 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
| Chemical References |
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