Aims: The discovery of antiviral substances to respond to COVID-19 is a global issue, including the field of drug development based on natural materials. Here, we showed that chitosan-based substances have natural antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
Methods and results: The molecular weight of chitosan-based substances was measured by the gel permeation chromatography analysis. In MTT assay, the chitosan-based substances have low cytotoxicity to Vero cells. The antiviral effect of these substances was confirmed by quantitative viral RNA targeting the RdRp and E genes and plaque assay. Among the substances tested, low molecular weight chitooligosaccharide decreased the fluorescence intensity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein of the virus-infected cells in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the chitooligosaccharide, a candidate for natural treatment, has antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro.
Significance and impact of study: In this study, it was suggested for the first time that chitosan-based substances such as chitooligosaccharide can have an antiviral effect on SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral effect; chitooligosaccharide; natural treatment.
© 2022 Society for Applied Microbiology.