Exploring norovirus inhibition
Norovirus infections are a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic gastroenteritis worldwide. Gastroenteritis caused by norovirus usually starts suddenly and causes vomiting and diarrhoea. Sufferers may also experience nausea, fever, stomach pains, headache, muscle aches and dehydration. It is highly contagious and can be particularly threatening to children and the elderly. Despite the global prevalence of human noroviruses, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments available.
Seaweed-derived polysaccharides are increasingly being studied to assist in potential future treatments of norovirus, with researchers investigating their ability to reduce both the symptoms and spread of the virus. A recent in vitro investigation has evaluated the potential of fucoidans from Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida, along with the polysaccharide ulvan, to inhibit norovirus virus-like particles binding to histo-blood group antigens in human saliva.
The investigation reported clear differences in antiviral efficacy. High purity Fucus vesiculosus fucoidan demonstrated ‘the most potent and consistent activity’ against the two types of norovirus tested, indicating strong histo-blood group antigen blocking capacity.
The investigation is summarised in a short communication titled 'Harnessing marine sulfated polysaccharides to inhibit norovirus: from seaweed to solution', published in Microbiology Spectrum.