Antiviral effects of Sarcodia suae water extracts against vesicular stomatitis virus infection

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
2024, VOL. 59, NO. 4, 1–11

To link to this article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09670262.2024.2405614

Tsai-Fei Chang^a*, Chiou-Feng Linb,c*, Shan-Ying Wu^b,c, Lin Lin^a,d, Pei-Chun Lai^a, Chen-Ting Liao^a, Caitlin Woodson^e, Shiow-Yi Chen^d, Po-Tsang Lee^f, Meng-Chou Lee^f,g and Shih-Chao Lin^h,I 

^aMarine Biotechnology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2 Beining Road, Keelung 202301, Taiwan; ^bDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; ^cGraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 110301, Taiwan; ^dDepartment of Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2 Beining Road, Keelung 202301, Taiwan; ^eDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia- Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; ^fDepartment of Aquaculture, College of Life Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2 Beining Road, Keelung 202301, Taiwan; ^gCenter of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 20224, Taiwan; ^hBachelor Program in Marine Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University; ⁱInternational Master Program in Marine Biotechnology and Environmental Ecology Sustainability, National Taiwan Ocean University

ABSTRACT
Marine algae, a rich source of bioactive substances, have long been utilized in biomedical and veterinary sciences. This study breaks new ground by assessing the antiviral therapeutic potential of water extracts from four algal species – Colaconema formosanum, Caulerpa microphysa, Gelidium amansii and Sarcodia suae – against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. The standout among these was Sarcodia suae water extract (SSWE), which not only significantly repressed VSV replication and enhanced cell survival without cytotoxic effects, but also demonstrated its antiviral activity through interference with viral attachment, entry, RNA replication, and egress, and reduced VSV-induced autophagy in Mv1Lu cells during the late stages of infection. The EC50 of SSWE was 0.422 ± 0.14 mg ml‒1. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed the high biocompatibility of SSWE. This study identifies SSWE as a promising natural antiviral agent and elucidates its mechanisms of action, highlighting the need for further research to optimize its use in controlling VSV-related diseases. 

HIGHLIGHTS
● The bioactive water extract of Sarcodia suae was identified as a sustainable antiviral agent for the algal cultivation industry.
● The antiviral activity of S. suae against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection was confirmed.
● The mechanisms of action of the extract from Sarcodia suae on the autophagic pathway were demonstrated.