A well-known protein source is the only scope to develop Immunity against wide-spreading viral fever By AARI Research Team

 A well-known protein source is the only scope to develop Immunity against wide-spreading viral fever

People around the world are panic about the spreading of viral fever. Doctors and researchers are finding a way to cure the disease. But from childhood, everyone would have heard the proverb “Prevention is better than Cure”. I feel as a common public everyone should take responsibility to prevent them from viral infection. To prevent viral infection the best-suggested things are to be home, wear masks, maintain hygiene, take a healthy diet and do exercise. In this article, we would like to request everyone to add Blue-green algae to their diet to prevent getting infected by the high spreading viral fever. 

Kindly read the full article for more information regarding on what basis we are suggesting this. 

  

    Alga Arthrospira platensis (widely known as spirulina) cultivated globally and consumed for its protein and vitamin-rich constituents. The health benefit of Spirulina is well known and also proven through many experiments. Many NGOs and health departments supply Spirulina to kids and people with Malnutrition (Nutritional Deficiencies). The Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), which also shows high antiviral activities. Also, CFTRI has produced Spirulina Chikki to boost immunity and aid fast recovery of covid19 infected patients. 

    The earlier clinical trials against viral infections and concluded that they have potential therapeutic use against viral infections (Yakoot, & Salem, 2012). The methanolic extract of Spirulina showed activity against type II Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2) infections (Corona et. al. 2002). 

Winter and team (2014) recommended Arthrospira platensis as a food supplement to reinforce antioxidative status after studying the effects of A. platensis on HIV patients. It was found that the oral intake of Spirulina can prevent the Influenza A-virus in mice (Pugh et al 2015). 

    In another study, Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) showed effective antiviral activity against human pathogenic viruses. The water extract of Spirulina inhibited the replications of HIV-1 in T-cells and PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mono-Nuclear Cells). The minimal (0.3 & 1.2 μg/ml) concentration of Spirulina extract itself showed almost 50% of Inhibition (Ayehunie et al 1998). 

A literature review done by Perumal and Sundararaj (2020) revealed the potentiality of antiviral activity of Spirulina. They also concluded that the algae Spirulina could be taken orally to boost the human immune system and also it could serve as an antiviral agent. 

Various studies following this has proved that Spirulina has antiviral potential. 

    Petit et al 2021 identified various compounds using docking techniques in Arthrospira: phycocyanobilin, phycoerythrobilin, phycourobilin, and folic acid, which shows reliable binding energies comprised between - 6.95 and - 7.45 kcal.mol-1 in Autodock Vina and between - 9.285 and - 10.35 kcal.mol-1 with SwissDock. Toxicity prediction, as well as current regulations, provided promising arguments for the inclusion of these compounds in further studies to assess their ability to compete with the SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 complex both in vitro and in vivo.

    

    In another study (Raj et. al. 2020) C-phycocyanin of Spirulina platensis was used to study its anti-viral property in-silico. They focused on the possibility of C-phycocyanin inhibiting the active site of nsp12, which is very much needed for viral replication. Auto Dock, Auto Grid, and Discovery Studios tools reveal that C-phycocyanin inhibits the active site of nsp12 thereby interfering with the replication of the virus itself. they also demand immediate dynamics and quantum studies along with in-vitro experiments. In the meanwhile, consuming Spirulina supplemented food ingredients might be one of the strategies to combat the deadly pandemic. 

    

    The above information from available literature suggests that alga Spirulina has the potential antiviral properties which will help you to prevent yourself from viral fever. Rather we can say the alga Spirulina will boost your immunity and aid you to fight against any kind of infection. 

Have a healthy diet! Stay Home! Stay Safe!

By

AARI Research Team

References:

Yakoot, M., & Salem, A. (2012). Spirulina platensis versus  silymarin  in  the  treatment  of  chronic  hepatitis C virus  infection.  A  pilot  randomized,  comparative  clinical trial. BMC gastroenterology, 12(1), 1-9.

Corona,  A.  H.,  Nieves,  I.,  Meckes,  M.,  Chamorro, M.,  Barron,  B.  L.  (2002).  Antiviral  activity  of Spirulina maxima  against  herpes  simplex  virus  type  2. Antiviral Research., 56, 279-285. 

Pugh,  N.  D.,  Edwall,  D.,  Lindmark,  L.,  Kousoulas, K. G., Iyer A. V., Haron, M. H., Pasco, D. S. (2015). Oral administration  of  a Spirulina  extract  enriched for  Braun-type   lipoproteins   protects   mice   against   influenza   An (H1N1) virus infection. Phytomedicine, 22: 271–276.

Ayehunie, S., Belay, A., Baba, T., & Ruprecht, R. (1998). Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis). J. Acqui. Immune Deficit. Syndr and Human Retrovirol., 18(1): 7-12.

Raj TK, Ranjithkumar R, Kanthesh BM and Gopenath TS: C-phycocyanin of Spirulina platensis inhibits NSP12 required for replication of SARS-COV-2: a novel finding in-silico. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2020; 11(9): 4271-78. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.11(9).4271-78.

Petit Léna, Léa Vernès, Léa Vernès, Jean-Paul Cadoret, Jean-Paul Cadoret., (2021). Docking and in silico toxicity assessment of Arthrospira compounds as potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Applied Phycology. DOI: 10.1007/s10811-021-02372-9

News on Air 2020: http://newsonair.com/News?title=CFTRI-develops-Spirulina-groundnut-Chikki-to-boost-immunity-during-pandemic&id=388218 

     In an interview with Deccan Herald CFTRI Director K S M S Raghava Rao told "A total of 15,000 Spirulina chikki, a snack that provides micronutrients from Spirulina as well as the tasty, nourishing groundnut proteins have been given to covid patients. It provides bioavailable micronutrients such as Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, and easily digestible algal protein".

https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-districts/firm-prepares-nutrition-food-to-check-covid-19-833982.html