IN-VITRO ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITIES OF SULFATED POLYSACCHARIDES FROM A MARINE MICROALGA (COCHLODINIUM POLYKRIKOIDES) AGAINST HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS AND OTHER ENVELOPED VIRUSES

A marine microalga, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, produces extracellular sulfated polysaccharides. Isolation and purification of the polysacch arides were accomplished by precipitation with ethanol and Cetavlon, f ollowed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography (polysaccharides A1 an d A2). These polysaccharides, which were homogeneous when analysed by both ultracentrifugal and electrophoretic methods, were composed of ma nnose, galactose, glucose and uronic acid, together with sulfate group s (S = 7-8% w/w). Both A1 and A2 inhibited the cytopathic effect of in fluenza virus types A and B in MDCK cells, that of respiratory syncyti al virus types A and B in HEp-2 cells, that of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in MT-4 cells; and, except A1 for herpes simplex virus ty pe 1 and A2 for parainfluenza virus type 2 in HMV-2 cells, the cochlod inium polysaccharides showed no antiviral activity against parainfluen za virus types 2 and 3, measles virus, mumps virus or herpes simplex v irus type 1 in HMV-2 cells. No cytotoxicity for host cells was observe d with these polysaccharides at a concentration of 100 mu g ml(-1). In hibitory effects on various viruses were achieved at concentrations th at were not markedly inhibitory to the blood coagulation process.