Marine mollusc extracts—Potential source of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

Rebecca L. Pedler, Peter G. Speck

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel human coronavirus and the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). There is an urgent need for effective antivirals to treat current Covid-19 cases and protect those unable to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Marine molluscs live in an environment containing high virus densities (>107 virus particles per ml), and there are an estimated 100,000 species in the phylum Mollusca, demonstrating the success of their innate immune system. Mollusc-derived antivirals are yet to be used clinically despite the activity of many extracts, including against human viruses, being demonstrated in vitro. Hemolymph of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) has in vitro antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus and human adenovirus, while antiviral action against SARS-CoV-2 has been proposed by in silico studies. Such evidence suggests that molluscs, and in particular C. gigas hemolymph, may represent a source of antivirals for human coronaviruses.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2310
Number of pages5
JournalReviews in Medical Virology
Volume32
Issue number4
Early online date2 Nov 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • human coronaviruses
  • molluscs
  • Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)
  • SARS-CoV-2 antivirals

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