Sulfated Polysaccharides from Seaweed Strandings as Renewable Source for Potential Antivirals against Herpes simplex Virus 1

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) remains a prominent health concern widespread all over the world. The increasing genital infections by HSV-1 that might facilitate acquisition and transmission of HIV-1, the cumulative evidence that HSV-1 promotes neurodegenerative disorders, and the emergence of drug resistance signify the need for new antiviral agents. In this study, the in vitro anti-herpetic activity of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) extracted by enzyme or hot water from seaweeds collected in France and Mexico from stranding events, were evaluated. The anti-herpetic activity evaluation of the semi-refined-polysaccharides (sr-SPs) and different ion exchange purified fractions showed a wide range of antiviral activity. Among them, the sr-SPs from the Rhodophyta Halymenia floresii showed stronger activity EC50 0.68 μg/mL with SI 1470, without cytotoxicity. Further, the antiviral activity of the sr-SPs evaluated at different treatment schemes showed a high EC50 of 0.38 μg/mL during the viral adsorption assays when the polysaccharide and the virus were added simultaneously, whilst the protection on Vero cell during the post-infection assay was effective up to 1 h. The chemical composition, FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic, and molecular weights of the sr-SPs from H. floresii were determined and discussed based on the anti-herpetic activity. The potential utilization of seaweed stranding as a source of antiviral compounds is addressed.

Anti-herpes simplex virus activities and mechanisms of marine derived compounds

“…Marine sulfated polysaccharides derived from red algae often possess marked anti-HSV activities, mainly through inhibiting virus attachment to cell surfaces ( Pliego-Cortés et al., 2022 ). The sulfation content is the key factor which influences the anti-HSV effects of other red algae derived polysaccharides.…”

Antiviral Activity and Mechanisms of Seaweeds Bioactive Compounds on Enveloped Viruses—A Review

“…In a recent work from Pliego-Cortés et al [147] the in vitro antiherpetic activity of sulphated polysaccharides extracted from seaweeds collected in France and Mexico from stranding events were evaluated. Results showed significant antiviral activity and no cytotoxicity exhibited from red alga Halymenia floresii.…”

“…Broad antiviral spectrum [113,[156][157][158] In vitro/in vivo inhibition of virus replication [115,122,124] Enhanced antibody production and immunomodulation activity [127,165,189,190] Anti-inflammatory activity [167] Prevention of the virus entry into the host cell [126,131,149] RT inhibition potential [132][133][134]136] No cytotoxicity effect [128,143,147,149] Compounds can be included in prophylaxis treatments [131,148,169] Cons Antiviral activity depends on the chemical structure (e.g., low antiviral activity is given by low number of sulphated groups) [70,80,[98][99][100]142] Strong anticoagulant activity of carrageenan could provoke adverse reaction in antiviral treatments [97,126,175,186,187] Antiviral activity is influenced by extraction methods [133,134] Poor adherence/non-frequent use of seaweed-based treatment decreases antiviral activity [173] The use of natural compounds as a replacement for synthetic ones or in combination with pre-existing antiviral treatments could be a way to optimize the production cost of drugs, to reduce side effects in patients as seaweed's comp...…”

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Polysaccharides Extracted from Halymenia floresii and Solieria chordalis (Rhodophyta)

“…Kappa-, lambda-, and iota-carrageenans also display antiviral properties, which have been demonstrated against several enveloped viruses including a wide range of respiratory viruses such as paramyxoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses (FluV), and seasonal coronaviruses [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Recently, Pliego-Cortés et al (2022) demonstrated in vitro evidence of the antiviral activity of lambda- and iota-carrageenans extracted from stranding biomass of Halymenia floresii and Solieria chordalis against Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) [ 22 ].…”