Activity of Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.
The cell wall sulfated polysaccharide of the red microalga Porphyridium sp. exhibited impressive antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) both in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (rats and rabbits). Depending on the concentration, this polysaccharide completely inhibited or slowed down the development of the cytopathic effect in HSV-infected cells, but did not show any cytotoxic effects on vero cells even when a concentration as high as 250 microg/ml was used. There was indirect evidence for a strong interaction between the polysaccharide and HSV and a weak interaction with the cell surface. When tested in vivo, Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide conferred significant and efficient protection against HSV-1 infection: at a concentration as low as 100 microg/ml, it prevented the appearance and development of symptoms of HSV-1 infection in rats and rabbits. The polysaccharide did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 2 mg/ml in vivo.
Huheihel
Mahmoud
M
The Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beersheva 84105, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Ishanu
Vladimir
V
Tal
Jacov
J
Arad
Shoshana Malis
SM
D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000737:chemistry*; D014709:Vero Cells
D011134:Polysaccharides