Inhibitory activities of microalgal extracts against Epstein-Barr virus DNA release from lymphoblastoid cells

J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2011 May;12(5):335-45. doi: 10.1631/jzus.B1000336.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the inhibitory activities of methanol extracts from the microalgae Ankistrodesmus convolutus, Synechococcus elongatus, and Spirulina platensis against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in three Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, namely Akata, B95-8, and P3HR-1. The antiviral activity was assessed by quantifying the cell-free EBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The methanol extracts from Ankistrodesmus convolutus and Synechococcus elongatus displayed low cytotoxicity and potent effect in reducing cell-free EBV DNA (EC(50)<0.01 µg/ml) with a high therapeutic index (>28000). After fractionation by column chromatography, the fraction from Synechococcus elongatus (SEF1) reduced the cell-free EBV DNA most effectively (EC(50)=2.9 µg/ml, therapeutic index>69). Upon further fractionation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the sub-fraction SEF1'a was most active in reducing the cell-free EBV DNA (EC(50)=1.38 µg/ml, therapeutic index>14.5). This study suggests that microalgae could be a potential source of antiviral compounds that can be used against EBV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / virology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorophyta / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / drug effects
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Foscarnet / pharmacology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / drug effects*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lymphoid Progenitor Cells / drug effects
  • Lymphoid Progenitor Cells / virology
  • Microalgae / chemistry*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spirulina / chemistry
  • Synechococcus / chemistry
  • Viral Load / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Foscarnet
  • Acyclovir