Polysaccharides from Brown Seaweeds (<i>Padina boergesenii</i> and <i>Sargassum euryphyllum</i>) as Promising Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: Characterization, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential
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 polys...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Macromol |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/18 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | 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 (<i>Padina boergesenii</i> and <i>Sargassum euryphyllum</i>) 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<sub>50</sub>) values ranging from 24.2 to 29.3 µg/mL and cytotoxicity concentration 50% (CC<sub>50</sub>) values for Vero-E6 cells ranging from 587.7 to 396.4 µg/mL for <i>P. boergesenii</i> and <i>S. euryphyllum</i>, respectively. <i>P. boergesenii</i> polysaccharide had a more substantial antiviral potential than <i>S. euryphyllum</i> against SARS-CoV-2 and appeared more promising. At a concentration of 575 µL/mL of <i>P. boergesenii</i> 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, <i>P. boergesenii</i> polysaccharide looked promising as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2673-6209 |