Evaluation of in vitro antiviral activity of a brown alga (Cystoseira myrica) from the Persian Gulf against herpes simplex virus type 1

Abstract

The hot water extract of a brown marine alga, Cystoseira myrica, from the Persian Gulf was evaluated as an antiviral compound against KOS strain of HSV-1 in cell culture. The extract exhibited antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) not only during absorption of virus to the cells, but also on post attachment stages of virus replication. The water extract of C. myrica was sterilized by filtration and autoclaving, respectively. The IC 50 for filtered extract was 99 µg/ml and the IC 50 for autoclaved extract was 125 µg/ml. Based on resulted selectivity index (SI) values of the extracts, which were 33.4 and 28.2 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively, we found that the antiviral compound(s) in the water extract of C. myrica to be heat stable. Also, the SI values for inhibition of the post attachment stages of HSV-1 replication were 23.1 and 21.7 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. The IC 50 in this phase of study were 143 and 162 µg/ml for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. Therefore, C. myrica could be a good candidate as a natural source for anti-HSV-1 compound(s) isolation.

An Insight into Current Treatment Strategies, Their Limitations, and Ongoing Developments in Vaccine Technologies against Herpes Simplex Infections

“…The major mechanisms were found as reduced virus attachment to the host cell, the viral-cell fusion process, and/or the virus’s entrance into the cell [ 160 ]. Cystoseira myrica is another source of alga extract with antiviral action against HSV-1, and it significantly reduces the virus’s capacity to replicate [ 161 ].…”

Promising Seaweeds against Human Viruses: A Review

“…Symphyocladia latiuscula, a red macroalga, has been reported to produce compounds that showed anti-HSV-1 activity assessed in the Vero cells line [41] . Extracts derived from the brown algae Leathesia difformis, Cystoceira myrica, Undaria pinnatifida reported having a bioactive compound consisting of sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidan) have shown strong anti-herpetic activity by inhibiting viral replication [42][43][44] . In another report, the antiviral activity of Scinaia hatei, a red seaweed, against HSV-1 and HSV-2 that inhibits the entry of the virus into the cell is likely to be mediated by algal extract containing sulfated xylomannan and xylans [45,46] .…”

“…-Phlorotanins Influenza virus --------------- [81] Ishige okamurae Fucoidan HIV-1 --------------- [29] Adenocystis utricularis Fucoidan HIV-1 PBMCs [30] Turbinaria ornata Fucoidan HIV-1 PBMCs [32] Turbinaria decurrens Fucoidan HIV-1 PBMCs [34] Dictyota bartayesiana Fucoidan HIV-1 PBMCs [34] Dictyota menstrualis Cyclic diterpenes CHIKV Vero cells [65] Leathesia difformis Fucoidan HSV-1 Vero cells [42] Cystoseira myrica Naphthalene skeleton containing compound HSV-1 Vero cells [43,53] Cystoseira indica Fucoidan DENV Vero cells [75] Undaria pinnatifida Fucoidan -HSV-1 -Evaluated in mice [44] -Influenza virus -Evaluated in mice [84] Canistocarpus cervicornis -Diterpene dolastane Not reported CHIKV Vero cells [64] DENV Huh 7.5 cells [74] Stoechospermum marginatum Fucoidan DENV Vero cells [75] Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosis fucans Influenza virus MDCK cells [83] Kjellmaniella crassifolia Fucoidan Influenza virus MDCK cells [86] Saccharina japonica Fucoidan SARS CoV-2 Virus In vitro studies [100] Green seaweeds…”

Current Antivirals and Novel Botanical Molecules Interfering With Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

“…Extracts obtained from this microalga through pressurized liquid extraction displayed inhibitory action against HSV-1 replication, which was suggested to be mediated by an inhibition in the attachment of the virus to the host cell, the virus-cell fusion process and/or virus entry into the cell (Santoyo et al, 2012). Another example of an alga extract with antiviral activity against HSV-1 was obtained from Cystoseira myrica, which strongly inhibits the replication of this virus (Zandi et al, 2007).…”