Unexpected mutations in SARS-CoV-2 produce unique variations. While numerous vaccines and antiviral medications are available for SARS-CoV-2, their use in controlling and preventing COVID-19 is restricted in some areas and countries due to accessibility and cost issues. This study investigated polysaccharides produced from
[...] Read more.
Unexpected mutations in SARS-CoV-2 produce unique variations. While numerous vaccines and antiviral medications are available for SARS-CoV-2, their use in controlling and preventing COVID-19 is restricted in some areas and countries due to accessibility and cost issues. This study investigated polysaccharides produced from two brown seaweed (
Padina boergesenii and
Sargassum euryphyllum) for their capacity to inhibit SARS-CoV-2. The seaweed polysaccharides were characterized and identified using ultraviolet and visible (UV/VIS) and Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectra. The polysaccharides inhibited SARS-CoV-2 propagation with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC
50) values ranging from 24.2 to 29.3 µg/mL and cytotoxicity concentration 50% (CC
50) values for Vero-E6 cells ranging from 587.7 to 396.4 µg/mL for
P. boergesenii and
S. euryphyllum, respectively.
P. boergesenii polysaccharide had a more substantial antiviral potential than
S. euryphyllum against SARS-CoV-2 and appeared more promising. At a concentration of 575 µL/mL of
P. boergesenii polysaccharide, the virucidal mechanism was found to be the most effective, followed by viral adsorption and replication, with viral inhibition percentages of 68.6% ± 0.8, 57.1% ± 1.4, and 37.2 ± 3, respectively, compared to remdesivir as an antiviral drug. Thus, we concluded that brown seaweed alginate polysaccharides efficiently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 from spreading by preventing viral entry. Finally,
P. boergesenii polysaccharide looked promising as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.
Full article