Virucidal activities of medium- and long-chain fatty alcohols and lipids against respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 2: comparison at different pH levels

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that some lipids and fatty alcohols have microbicidal activities against a broad variety of pathogens. In this study, virucidal activities of fatty acids, monoglycerides and fatty alcohols were tested against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) at different concentrations, times and pH levels. The most active compounds were mixed with milk products and fruit juices and the mixtures tested for virucidal effects. The aim was to determine which compounds are the most active against these respiratory viruses and could possibly be used in pharmaceutical formulations or as additives to milk products or juice. Several compounds caused a significant inactivation of virus, and there was generally a good agreement between the activities against RSV and parainfluenza virus. By changing the pH from 7 to 4.2, the virucidal activities of some of the compounds were greatly increased, i.e., they inactivated virus in a shorter time and at lower concentrations. The most active compound tested was 1-monoglyceride of capric acid, monocaprin, which also showed activity against influenza A virus and significant virucidal activities after addition to milk products and fruit juices, even at a concentration as low as 0.06-0.12%. The significant virucidal activities of fatty alcohols and lipids on RSV and parainfluenza virus demonstrated in this in vitro study raise the question of the feasibility of using such compounds as ingredients in pharmaceutical dosage forms against respiratory infections caused by these viruses, and possibly other paramyxo- and myxoviruses.

Fish oils against Burkholderia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa : in vitro efficacy and their therapeutic and prophylactic effects on infected Galleria mellonella larvae

“…) as well as on various enveloped viruses (Hilmarsson et al . ) and parasites (Carballeira ). Their mode of action still remains to be elucidated in detail, however, it is acceptable that they act by disrupting the cellular membrane integrity.…”

The Staphylococcus aureus Response to Unsaturated Long Chain Free Fatty Acids: Survival Mechanisms and Virulence Implications

“…Inhibition of several membrane-enveloped viruses has also been demonstrated [19]–[21]. Although several studies have attempted to pinpoint the specific cellular target(s) of LC-uFFAs, the actual anti-bacterial mechanism has not been unambiguously determined.…”

The antibacterial properties of docosahexaenoic omega-3 fatty acid against the cystic fibrosis multiresistant pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia

“…Therefore, in this work, we decided to explore the use of long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFAs) as anti‐ Burkholderia agents. The microbicidal activity of selected LCUFAs and their derivatives has been reported on various enveloped viruses (Hilmarsson et al ., ), parasites (Carballeira, ) and pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Helicobacter pylori , Staphylococcus aureus and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Desbois & Smith, ). These lipids are found in natural products, human skin and body fluids including respiratory secretions, where they play a role in natural host defense against pathogens (Thormar & Hilmarsson, ).…”