In vitro and in vivo anti-herpes simplex virus activity of monogalactosyl diacylglyceride from Coccomyxa sp. KJ (IPOD FERM BP-22254), a green microalga

PLoS One. 2019 Jul 16;14(7):e0219305. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219305. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

A monogalactosyl diacylglyceride (MGDG) was isolated as an antiviral component from Coccomyxa sp. KJ (IPOD FERM BP-22254) via bioassay-guided fractionation. α-Linolenic acid (C18:3) and 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3) accounted for approximately 72% and 23%, respectively, of the MGDG total fatty acids of the MGDG. The MGDG showed virucidal activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), a pathogen that causes genital herpes. Physical changes in HSV-2 shape were observed after treatment with MGDG, including a decrease in particle size, and possible damage to the viral envelope, as assessed using electron microscopy. In accordance with the morphological findings, virus particles lost their ability to bind to host cells. HSV-2 treated with high concentrations of MGDG resulted in no pathogenicity in an animal model, indicating that MGDG exhibits irreversible virucidal activity against HSV-2 particles. In the animal model of HSV-2-induced genital herpes, intravaginally administered MGDG exerted a prophylactic effect by suppressing viral yields in the genital cavity and formation of herpetic lesions, resulting in a higher survival rate in treated mice than control mice administered solvent. Thus, MGDG offers a novel prophylactic option against HSV infections.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / analysis
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / analysis
  • Female
  • Galactolipids / analysis
  • Galactolipids / pharmacology*
  • Herpes Genitalis / therapy*
  • Herpes Genitalis / virology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microalgae / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Vero Cells
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / analysis

Substances

  • 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Galactolipids
  • monogalactosyldiacylglycerol
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid

Grants and funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Denso Corporation provided support in the form of salaries for authors KA and MK, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.