Alga Extracts as Novel Antiviral Agents

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Alga Extracts as Novel Antiviral Agents

• By Stephanie Boone

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Background

• Antimicrobial activity of alga was first reported
  in 1940 (antibacterial activity of Chorella
  vulgaris).
• The antimicrobial properties of seaweed reported
  in 1951.
• Antiviral effects of polysaccarides from marine
  alga reported to inhibit mumps, and influenza B
  virus.
• 1969 extracts from red algae inhibited HSV and
  other viruses.
• These observations generated little interest due
  to nonspecificity.

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Antiviral Activity

• Caulerpa taxifolia Inhibited FIV in
  vitro
• Blue-green algae
• (allophycocyanin) Neutralized enterovirus
  71 cytopathic effect in vitro
• Blue-green algae
• (Cyanovirin-N) Inactivates HIV
• Spirulina platensis Inhibits HIV activity
• Spirulina platensis
• (calcium spirulan) Inhibits HSV-1, human
  cytomegalovirus
  (HCMV), measles virus, mumps
  virus, influenza virus and HIV-1
• Alga Sulfated
• polysaccharides HIV, herpes simplex
  12, influenza A, RSV,
  SIV, pseudorabies, bovine
  herpes and HCMV

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Antiviral Mechanisms
Sulfated polysaccharides Interfere with attachment of virus to target cell
cyanovirin Interferes with membrane fusion and host cell entry
Sulfoglycolipids Inhibit reverse transcriptase
carrageenans Increase T and B cell mitogens
Spirulina Increase phagocytic activity, antibody production, NK cell accumulation
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My Antiviral Study

• METHOD
• Grew a lawn of bacteria on TSA plate.
• Used bacteria phage assay. PRD-1 was placed in
  top agar.
• Applied Spirulina from health food store to
  plates in diluted form.
• Watched growth over 24 hour period.
• Counted plaques.

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Study Results

• No difference between treated plates and plates
  not treated.
• Assay failed.

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Study Conclusions

• Conclusions
• Never work with algae in a bottle from the health
  food store.

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References

• Available upon request.