THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF Spirulina AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC VIRUSES

Sharolynne Xiao Tong  Liang; Ling Shing  Wong; Anto Cordelia Tanislaus Antony  Dhanapal; Prakash  Balu; Sinouvassane  Djearamane

doi:10.18006/2021.9(Spl-1-GCSGD_2020).S38.S42

Authors

Sharolynne Xiao Tong Liang Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia
Ling Shing Wong Life Science Division, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Nilai, 71800 Malaysia
Anto Cordelia Tanislaus Antony Dhanapal Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia
Prakash Balu Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600117, India
Sinouvassane Djearamane Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, 31900 Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18006/2021.9(Spl-1-GCSGD_2020).S38.S42

Keywords:

Spirulina, Cyanobacteria, Antiviral, Immunostimulant

Abstract

Viruses can spread worldwide and the early detection of emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks in humans and animals is important for effective surveillance and prevention. Viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), swine flu, and influenza virus are some of the viruses that spread diseases worldwide. However, the non-availability of effective antiviral drugs and the drug-resistance among the virus and host have become the major problems in controlling viral infections. The natural products from microalgae can be an alternative therapeutic agent to control viral infections in humans. Spirulina is a well-known cyanobacterium that has been consumed by humans as a food supplement for more than centuries without side-effects. Spirulina possesses high nutritional values and provides numerous health benefits to the consumers. Spirulina can be an alternative natural therapeutic agent for numerous virus infections as it contains several bioactive compounds with proven antiviral effect on enveloped viruses (Herpes simplex virus, measles virus, mumps virus) and non-enveloped viruses (astrovirus, rotavirus) by preventing the spread of the virus in the host cells. Spirulina also serves as a natural supplement that strengthens the immune system. This review focuses on the antiviral properties and immunostimulant effects of Spirulina as a potential therapeutic supplement on human health.

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