Foods (Feb 2022)

In Vitro Determination of Inhibitory Effects of Humic Substances Complexing Zn and Se on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replication

  • Polett Hajdrik,
  • Bernadett Pályi,
  • Zoltán Kis,
  • Noémi Kovács,
  • Dániel Sándor Veres,
  • Krisztián Szigeti,
  • Ferenc Budán,
  • Imre Hegedüs,
  • Tibor Kovács,
  • Ralf Bergmann,
  • Domokos Máthé

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11050694
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 5
p. 694

Abstract

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(1) Background: Humic substances are well-known human nutritional supplement materials and they play an important performance-enhancing role as animal feed additives. For decades, ingredients of humic substances have been proven to carry potent antiviral effects against different viruses. (2) Methods: Here, the antiviral activity of a humic substance containing ascorbic acid, Se− and Zn2+ ions intended as a nutritional supplement material was investigated against SARS-CoV-2 virus B1.1.7 Variant of Concern (“Alpha Variant”) in a VeroE6 cell line. (3) Results: This combination has a significant in vitro antiviral effect at a very low concentration range of its intended active ingredients. (4) Conclusions: Even picomolar concentration ranges of humic substances, Vitamin C and Zn/Se ions in the given composition, were enough to achieve 50% viral replication inhibition in the applied SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibition test.

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