Antiviral activity of the high-molecular-weight plant polysaccharides (Panavir®)

Abstract

This short report is dedicated to the description of the wide antiviral and antibacterial activity of the immunemodulating agent Panavir®. Panavir® is a high-molecular-weight fraction of the polysaccharides extracted from the shoots of the Solanum tuberosum. It demonstrates activity against many types of viruses, including animal coronavirus and also against bacterial infections. These properties look very promising considering the COVID-19 epidemy and allow propose that Panavir® would be effective in the therapy of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Antiviral potential of plant polysaccharide nanoparticles actuating non-specific immunity

“…The effect was observed both in the physiological range of Panavir concentrations (2.5–10 ng/ml, Fig. 3 A) corresponding to the pharmacological dose of 200 μg for an adult [ 16 ] and at the elevated concentrations ( Fig. 3 B).…”

“…We have previously shown that the particles of a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide extracted from potato shoots (Panavir) have a broad spectrum of antiviral activity [ [14] , [15] , [16] ]. The antiviral activity was demonstrated against the broad spectrum of germs, including both DNA and RNA-containing viruses, such as, for example, animal coronaviruses – the close relatives of SARS-CoV-2, and also against influenza virus, herpes, cytomegalovirus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, human papillomavirus, and the virus of hepatitis C. Such a broadness of the pharmacological activity of the drug forces to search its action mechanism among the non-specific immunological reactions.…”

“…Undoubtedly, this property is one of the key ones since the severity of pathologies caused by viral infections directly correlates with the defects in the interferon system, which has recently been shown in patients with COVID-19 [ 18 , 19 ]. Besides that, Panavir demonstrates neuroprotective and antibacterial activity and also suppresses autoimmune distresses [ 16 ], which is difficult to explain by the induction of interferons alone. At the same time, such a variety of pharmacological effects should be associated with some fundamental mechanism of the innate defense, where the infection, apparently, is one of, but not the only, potentially dangerous factor.…”

Important Roles of Oligo- and Polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2: Recent Advances

“…Additionally, an evaluation by applying the S glycoprotein-equipped pseudotype virus established that sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharide could attach to the S glycoprotein for the prevention of the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 into host cell [35]. In another study, Panavir ® , a higher molecular-weight portion of polysaccharides obtained from the shoots of Solanum tuberosum (potato), showed potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection [36]. Besides, polysaccharides obtained from Ecklonia kurome Okam seaweed could inhibit/block the 3CLpro (3-chymotrypsin-like protease) enzyme, which plays important roles in viral replication/transcription; these mixtures of polysaccharides demonstrated efficient anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity (in vitro), and they can be considered as potential candidates in antiviral drug developments and research [37].…”

“…Sci. 2021, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16 shoots of Solanum tuberosum (potato), showed potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection[36]. Besides, polysaccharides obtained from Ecklonia kurome Okam seaweed could inhibit/block the 3CLpro (3-chymotrypsin-like protease) enzyme, which plays important roles in viral replication/transcription; these mixtures of polysaccharides demonstrated efficient anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity (in vitro), and they can be considered as potential candidates in antiviral drug developments and research[37].…”