Calcium spirulan derived from Spirulina platensis inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 attachment to human keratinocytes and protects against herpes labialis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chronic infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 are highly prevalent in populations worldwide and cause recurrent oral lesions in up to 40% of infected subjects.

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated the antiviral activity of a defined Spirulina platensis microalga extract and of purified calcium spirulan (Ca-SP), a sulfated polysaccharide contained therein.

METHODS:

The inhibitory effects of HSV-1 were assessed by using a plaque reduction assay and quantitative PCR in a susceptible mammalian epithelial cell line and confirmed in human keratinocytes. Time-of-addition and attachment experiments and fluorescence detection of the HSV-1 tegument protein VP16 were used to analyze the mechanism of HSV-1 inhibition. Effects of Ca-SP on Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpes virus 8 replication and uptake of the ORF45 tegument protein were tested in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. In an observational trial the prophylactic effects of topically applied Ca-SP were compared with those of systemic and topical nucleoside analogues in 198 volunteers with recurrent herpes labialis receiving permanent lip makeup.

RESULTS:

Ca-SP inhibited HSV-1 infection in vitro with a potency at least comparable to that of acyclovir by blocking viral attachment and penetration into host cells. Ca-SP also inhibited entry of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/human herpes virus 8. In the clinical model of herpes exacerbation, the prophylactic effect of a Ca-SP and microalgae extract containing cream was superior to that of acyclovir cream.

CONCLUSION:

These data indicate a potential clinical use of Ca-SP containing Spirulina species extract for the prophylactic treatment of herpes labialis and suggest possible activity of Ca-SP against infections caused by other herpesviruses.

• Authors: Julia Mader, Antonio Gallo, Tim Schommartz, Wiebke Handke, Claus-Henning Nagel, Patrick Günther, Wolfram Brune, Kristian Reich
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 137 Issue 1 Pg. 197-203.e3 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1097-6825 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26341274 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Cosmetics
• Polysaccharides
• spirulan

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Line
• Chlorocebus aethiops
• Cosmetics
• Epithelial Cells (drug effects, virology)
• Female
• Herpes Labialis (prevention & control)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (drug effects, pathogenicity, physiology)
• Herpesvirus 8, Human (drug effects, pathogenicity, physiology)
• Humans
• Keratinocytes (drug effects, virology)
• Middle Aged
• Polysaccharides (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Spirulina
• Vero Cells
• Virus Attachment (drug effects)
• Young Adult