Antiviral activity of extracts from Brazilian seaweeds against herpes simplex virus

Abstract

Organic extracts of 36 species of marine algae (sixteen species of Rhodophyta, eight species of Ochrophyta and twelve species of Chlorophyta) from seven locations on the Brazilian coast were evaluated for their anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 activity resistant to Acyclovir (ACV). Activity tests in crude extracts, followed by the identification of the major compounds present, were performed for all species. The chemical profiles of all crude extracts were obtained by 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. The percentage of extracts with antiviral activity was higher for HSV-1 (86.1%) than for HSV-2 (55.5%). The green algae Ulva fasciata and Codium decorticatum both showed the highest activity (99.9%) against HSV-1, with triacylglycerols and fatty acids as the major components. The red alga Laurencia dendroidea showed good activity against HSV-1 (97.5%) and the halogenated sesquiterpenes obtusol and (-)-elatol were identified as the major components in the extract. Against HSV-2, the green alga Penicillus capitatus (Chlorophyta) and Stypopodium zonale (Ochrophyta) were the most active (96.0 and 95.8%). Atomaric acid, a meroditerpene, was identified as the major secondary metabolite in the S. zonale extract. These results reinforce the role of seaweeds as important sources of compounds with the potential to enter into the pipeline for development of new drugs against herpes simplex.

Total phenolic content and biological activities of enzymatic extracts from Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt

“…Dichloromethane/methanol extract of S. cymosum, S. polyceratium, S. vulgare, Padina gymnospora, Lobophora variegata, Dictyopteris delicatula, Sictyota menstrualis, and Stypodium zonale demonstrated herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) inhibition activity with percentage of inhibition ranging from 20 to 96 % at 400 μg mL −1 . Spectroscopic analysis of these crude extracts detected the presence of polyphenol compounds along with other active compounds like the halogenated sesquiterpenes obtusol, elatol, meroditerpenoid atomaric acid, triacylglycerols, and fatty acids (Soares et al 2012). Out of eight, only two enzymatic extracts were found to be effective against the HSV-1; they were S. muticum digested with Neutrase and Alcalase.…”

Inhibition of Zika Virus by Marine Algae

“…Some studies have already shown the potential of these algae against other viruses. Studies with C. racemosa showed activity against Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) [35] and HSV-1 [4], as well O. obtusiloba also exhibits anti-HSV-1 activity described [36]. Hirayama, et al [37] study showed that the lectins from the cultivated alga K. alvarezii inhibit the HIV virus entry to the host cells.…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated activity of several species of algae against HIV-1 [1,2], HSV-1 [3][4][5][6], HSV-2 [4,5] and dengue type 2 strains [7]. Thus, marine algae provide a rich source for the discovery of antiviral drugs.…”

Phytochemical screening and antiviral activity of Marrubium vulgare

“…According to Astani et al (2011), sesquiterpenes were able to suppress viral infection by 40-98% and directly inactivate herpes virus by interfering with virion envelope structures or mask viral structures that are necessary for adsorption or entry into host cells. Soares et al (2012) also identified the meroditerpenoid atomaric acid from the Stypopodium zonale extracts as anti-HSV-1. According to Aref et al (2011) triterpenes showed activity against HSV-1 and their mode of action was found at all stages of multiplication.…”