Antiviral Activity of the Rhamnolipids Mixture from the Antarctic Bacterium Pseudomonas gessardii M15 against Herpes Simplex Viruses and Coronaviruses

Emerging and re-emerging viruses represent a serious threat to human health at a global level. In particular, enveloped viruses are one of the main causes of viral outbreaks, as recently demonstrated by SARS-CoV-2. An effective strategy to counteract these viruses could be to target the envelope by...

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Published in:Pharmaceutics 2021-12, Vol.13 (12), p.2121
Main Authors: Giugliano, Rosa, Buonocore, Carmine, Zannella, Carla, Chianese, Annalisa, Palma Esposito, Fortunato, Tedesco, Pietro, De Filippis, Anna, Galdiero, Massimiliano, Franci, Gianluigi, de Pascale, Donatella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
antiviral
coronavirus
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Cytotoxicity
enveloped virus
Genomes
Herpes viruses
Laboratories
Lipids
microbial biosurfactants
Respiratory diseases
rhamnolipids
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Surfactants
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Summary:Emerging and re-emerging viruses represent a serious threat to human health at a global level. In particular, enveloped viruses are one of the main causes of viral outbreaks, as recently demonstrated by SARS-CoV-2. An effective strategy to counteract these viruses could be to target the envelope by using surface-active compounds. Rhamnolipids (RLs) are microbial biosurfactants displaying a wide range of bioactivities, such as antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm, among others. Being of microbial origin, they are environmentally-friendly, biodegradable, and less toxic than synthetic surfactants. In this work, we explored the antiviral activity of the rhamnolipids mixture (M15RL) produced by the Antarctic bacteria M15 against viruses belonging to and families. In addition, we investigated the rhamnolipids' mode of action and the possibility of inactivating viruses on treated surfaces. Our results show complete inactivation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 by M15RLs at 6 µg/mL, and of HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 at 25 and 50 µg/mL, respectively. Concerning activity against HCoV-OC43, 80% inhibition of cytopathic effect was recorded, while no activity against naked Poliovirus Type 1 (PV-1) was detectable, suggesting that the antiviral action is mainly directed towards the envelope. In conclusion, we report a significant activity of M15RL against enveloped viruses and demonstrated for the first time the antiviral effect of rhamnolipids against SARS-CoV-2.
ISSN:1999-4923
1999-4923
DOI:10.3390/pharmaceutics13122121