Effects of a nutrient mixture on infectious properties of the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus A/H5N1

Biofactors. 2008;33(2):85-97. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520330201.

Abstract

Numerous outbreaks of avian influenza virus infection (A/H5N1) have occurred recently, infecting domestic birds, chicken and ducks. The possibility of the emergence of a new strain of influenza virus capable of causing a pandemic in humans is high and no vaccine effective against such a strain currently exists. A unique nutrient mixture (NM), containing lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, green tea extract, N-acetyl cysteine, selenium among other micro nutrients, has been shown to exert a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological effects, including an inhibitory effect on replication of influenza virus and HIV. This prompted us to investigate the potential anti-viral activity of a nutrient mixture (NM) and its components on avian influenza virus A/H5N1at viral dosages of 1.0, 0.1 and 0.01 TCID(50). Antiviral activity was studied in cultured cell lines PK, BHK-21, and Vero-E6. Virus lysing activity was determined by co-incubation of virus A/H5N1 with NM for 0-60 min, followed residual virulence titration in cultured SPEV or BHK-21 cells. NM demonstrated high antiviral activity evident even at prolonged periods after infection. NM antiviral properties were comparable to those of conventional drugs (amantadine and oseltamivir); however, NM had the advantage of affecting viral replication at the late stages of the infection process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / drug effects*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Lysine / pharmacology
  • Micronutrients / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Proline / pharmacology
  • Selenium / pharmacology
  • Tea
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Micronutrients
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tea
  • Proline
  • Selenium
  • Lysine
  • Ascorbic Acid