ANTIVIRAL SUBSTANCE FROM SILKWORM FECES - PURIFICATION AND ITS CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION

In a previous paper, we reported that an extract of silkworm faeces ha s a marked antiviral activity on enveloped viruses, but not on a non-e nveloped virus, and we showed that it inhibits the synthesis of a vira l specific gene of HVJ (Sendai virus) without affecting the viral adso rption and entry into the host cell. In this paper, we accomplished th e purification of an antiviral active substance by extraction of a hyd rophobic substance and thin layer chromatography. The active substance was found to be a chlorophyll-like substance with a molecular mass of about 530. This substance shows clear antiviral activity against HVJ, HSV (herpes simplex virus type-1), and HIV (human immunodeficiency vi rus type-1). Its antiviral activity was dependent on light irradiation and temperature. Furthermore, it also possesses a strong hemolytic ac tivity under light.