Broad Spectrum Algae Compounds Against Viruses

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is currently trying to develop new bioactive compounds to inactivate both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses for therapeutic purposes. Consequently, microalgal and macroalgal bioactive compounds are being explored by pharmaceutical, as well as biotechnology and food industries. In this review, we show how compounds produced by algae include important candidates for viral control applications. We discuss their mechanisms of action and activity against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including those causing infections by enteric, parenteral, and respiratory routes. Indeed, algal products have potential in human and animal medicine.

Bioactivity of Fucoidan-Rich Extracts from Fucus vesiculosus against Rotavirus and Foodborne Pathogens

“…It has been reported that the antiviral activity of fucoidans from F. vesiculosus is directly related with its degree of sulfonation [ 59 , 60 ]. Sulfate groups are believed to exert antiviral activity in two main pathways, including (a) direct interaction with the positively charged viral surface proteins leading to the neutralization of the virus and (b) blocking virus interaction with the cell receptors via their polyanionic features and, therefore, obstructing the attachment of the viral particle to the host cell [ 9 , 26 , 61 ]. Recently, in vitro studies in Vero and human MT-4 cells revealed that native and enzymatic modified fucoidans had beneficial effects against HSV-1, HSV-2, ECHO-1, and HIV-1 by inhibiting virus infection in different phases of cell pretreatment, virus pretreatment, simultaneous treatment, and treatment of infected cells [ 62 ].…”

“…Reasons for ineffective vaccination are mainly associated with environmental factors, such as climate, poverty, malnutrition, genetic factors, water pollution [ 7 ], and financial and logistic problems [ 8 ]. Therefore, the searching for alternative antirotaviral agents is crucial as it could have several advantages, e.g., lower toxicity, higher effectiveness, broader range of action (also towards new variants), and lower cost, as well as for a better worldwide supply, for example, to the poorest countries [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…In recent decades, these compounds have attained great interest from the scientific community, as in vivo and in vitro studies have reported that they possess robust antibacterial [ 16 ], anticancer [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], and antioxidant [ 20 ] qualities, as well as immunity-boosting effects [ 21 ]. With regards to their antiviral activity, several studies have shown that components deriving from marine sources successfully hinder viral infections utilizing diverse mechanisms of action, such as immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and direct antiviral activity [ 9 , 22 ]. Hence, viruses, as a rule, do not acquire resistance to those compounds [ 23 ].…”

“…Mar. Drugs 2023, 21, 478 2 of 16 toxicity, higher effectiveness, broader range of action (also towards new variants), and lower cost, as well as for a better worldwide supply, for example, to the poorest countries [9,10].…”

Hemorrhagic Fevers: Antiviral Effects and Molecular Targets of Biologically Active Polysaccharides and Lectins from Marine Aquatic Organisms

“…В последние десятилетия в морских организмах (беспозвоночных животных, цианобактериях, водорослях) были обнаружены многочисленные биологически активные вещества (БАВ) с интересными функциональными свойствами, в том числе с ярко выраженным противовирусным эффектом, в связи с чем появились сообщения и о влиянии биополимеров из морских гидробионтов на жизненный цикл вирусов [22]. Большая часть исследований такого плана посвящена морским водорослям, экстракты и соединения из которых имеют доказанную эффективность против оболочечных и безоболочечных вирусов [23,24].…”