Cyanobacteria and Algae-Derived Bioactive Metabolites as Antiviral Agents: Evidence, Mode of Action, and Scope for Further Expansion; A Comprehensive Review in Light of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak
Biswajita Pradhan,
Rabindra Nayak,
Srimanta Patra,
Prajna Paramita Bhuyan,
Soumya Ranjan Dash,
Jang-Seu Ki,
Siba Prasad Adhikary,
Andrea Ragusa,
Mrutyunjay Jena
Affiliations
Biswajita Pradhan
Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India
Rabindra Nayak
Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India
Srimanta Patra
Cancer and Cell Death Laboratory, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India
Prajna Paramita Bhuyan
Department of Botany, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada 757003, India
Soumya Ranjan Dash
Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India
Jang-Seu Ki
Department of Biotechnology, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Korea
Siba Prasad Adhikary
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan 731235, India
Andrea Ragusa
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Campus Ecotekne, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Mrutyunjay Jena
Algal Biotechnology and Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Post Graduate Department of Botany, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, India
COVID-19—a severe acute respiratory syndrome disease caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—has recently attracted global attention, due to its devastating impact, to the point of being declared a pandemic. The search for new natural therapeutic drugs is mandatory, as the screening of already-known antiviral drugs so far has led to poor results. Several species of marine algae have been reported as sources of bioactive metabolites with potential antiviral and immunomodulatory activities, among others. Some of these bioactive metabolites might be able to act as antimicrobial drugs and also against viral infections by inhibiting their replication. Moreover, they could also trigger immunity against viral infection in humans and could be used as protective agents against COVID-In this context, this article reviews the main antiviral activities of bioactive metabolites from marine algae and their potential exploitation as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
