Marine Antiviral Agents

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2020) | Viewed by 18687

Special Issue Editor


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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the considerable progress made in recent years in virology, infectious human, animal, and plant viral diseases remain as worldwide problem. Effective controls and the treatments available for many infectious diseases are limited, and the need for new drugs is demonstrated, due to the increasing emergence of resistance to these available treatments. Viral infections of cultivated organisms severely disrupt the aquaculture sector. Knowledge of how to control viruses affecting aquaculture is scarce. The use and application of chemicals and antibiotics and their residual effects remain problematic.

Marine organisms (bacteria, fungi, seaweeds, invertebrates, etc.) represent a rich source of chemical diversity for the screening and identification of new compounds with antiviral properties. This Special Issue focuses on new information from present research on marine natural and synthetic compounds with antiviral potentials. Special attention will be paid to innovative track explorations, the development of new biotechnology in aquaculture, the development of innovative antiviral probiotics, eco-friendly processes of extraction and purification, the relationship between structure and activity, and the synthesis of new marine antiviral compounds.

Prof. Nathalie Bourgougnon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Antiviral
  • Marine compounds
  • Natural products
  • Marine biotechnology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 551 KiB  
Article
The Comparative Analysis of Antiviral Activity of Native and Modified Fucoidans from Brown Algae Fucus evanescens In Vitro and In Vivo
by Natalya V. Krylova, Svetlana P. Ermakova, Vyacheslav F. Lavrov, Irina A. Leneva, Galina G. Kompanets, Olga V. Iunikhina, Marina N. Nosik, Linna K. Ebralidze, Irina N. Falynskova, Artem S. Silchenko and Tatyana S. Zaporozhets
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18(4), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/md18040224 - 22 Apr 2020
Cited by 65 | Viewed by 5252
Abstract
The enzymatic depolymerization of fucoidans from brown algae allowed the production of their standardized derivatives with different biological activities. This work aimed to compare the antiviral activities of native (FeF) and modified with enzyme (FeHMP) fucoidans from F. evanescens. The cytotoxicity and [...] Read more.
The enzymatic depolymerization of fucoidans from brown algae allowed the production of their standardized derivatives with different biological activities. This work aimed to compare the antiviral activities of native (FeF) and modified with enzyme (FeHMP) fucoidans from F. evanescens. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activities of the FeF and FeHMP against herpes viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2), enterovirus (ECHO-1), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in Vero and human MT-4 cell lines were examined by methylthiazolyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assays, respectively. The efficacy of fucoidans in vivo was evaluated in the outbred mice model of vaginitis caused by HSV-2. We have shown that both FeF and FeHMP significantly inhibited virus-induced CPE in vitro and were more effective against HSV. FeF exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-2 with a selective index (SI) > 40, and FeHMP with SI ˃ 20, when they were added before virus infection or at the early stages of the HSV-2 lifecycle. Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that after intraperitoneal administration (10 mg/kg), both FeF and FeHMP protected mice from lethal intravaginal HSV-2 infection to approximately the same degree (44–56%). Thus, FeF and FeHMP have comparable potency against several DNA and RNA viruses, allowing us to consider the studied fucoidans as promising broad-spectrum antivirals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Antiviral Agents)
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Review

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23 pages, 2371 KiB  
Review
Antiviral Potential of Algal Metabolites—A Comprehensive Review
by António Pagarete, Ana Sofia Ramos, Pål Puntervoll, Michael J. Allen and Vítor Verdelho
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(2), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19020094 - 6 Feb 2021
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6556
Abstract
Historically, algae have stimulated significant economic interest particularly as a source of fertilizers, feeds, foods and pharmaceutical precursors. However, there is increasing interest in exploiting algal diversity for their antiviral potential. Here, we present an overview of 50-years of scientific and technological developments [...] Read more.
Historically, algae have stimulated significant economic interest particularly as a source of fertilizers, feeds, foods and pharmaceutical precursors. However, there is increasing interest in exploiting algal diversity for their antiviral potential. Here, we present an overview of 50-years of scientific and technological developments in the field of algae antivirals. After bibliometric analysis of 999 scientific references, a survey of 16 clinical trials and analysis of 84 patents, it was possible to identify the dominant algae, molecules and viruses that have been shaping and driving this promising field of research. A description of the most promising discoveries is presented according to molecule class. We observed a diverse range of algae and respective molecules displaying significant antiviral effects against an equally diverse range of viruses. Some natural algae molecules, like carrageenan, cyanovirin or griffithsin, are now considered prime reference molecules for their outstanding antiviral capacity. Crucially, while many algae antiviral applications have already reached successful commercialization, the large spectrum of algae antiviral capacities already identified suggests a strong potential for future expansion of this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Antiviral Agents)
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27 pages, 664 KiB  
Review
Carrageenans as Broad-Spectrum Microbicides: Current Status and Challenges
by Choongho Lee
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18(9), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/md18090435 - 21 Aug 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4957
Abstract
Different kinds of red algae are enriched with chemically diverse carbohydrates. In particular, a group of sulfated polysaccharides, which were isolated from the cell walls of red algae, gained a large amount of attention due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Within that group, [...] Read more.
Different kinds of red algae are enriched with chemically diverse carbohydrates. In particular, a group of sulfated polysaccharides, which were isolated from the cell walls of red algae, gained a large amount of attention due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Within that group, carrageenans (CGs) were expected to be the first clinically applicable microbicides that could prevent various viral infections due to their superior antiviral potency and desirable safety profiles in subclinical studies. However, their anticipated beneficial effects could not be validated in human studies. To assess the value of a second attempt at pharmacologically developing CGs as a new class of preventive microbicides, all preclinical and clinical development processes of CG-based microbicides need to be thoroughly re-evaluated. In this review, the in vitro toxicities; in vivo safety profiles; and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo antiviral activities of CGs are summarized according to the study volume of their target viruses, which include human immunodeficiency virus, herpesviruses, respiratory viruses, human papillomavirus, dengue virus, and other viruses along with a description of their antiviral modes of action and development of antiviral resistance. This evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of CGs will help provide future research directions that may lead to the successful development of CG-based antimicrobial prophylactics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Antiviral Agents)
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