Confirmed Inhibitory Effects of Coronavirus from Seaweed Extracts Including Jeonbok

Marine Bio Research Center Cell Experiment Results Published in World-Renowned Journal 'Marine Drugs'

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Abalone and seaweed have been confirmed to have inhibitory effects on the COVID-19 virus.

The joint research team of the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency Marine Bio Research Center and MBD Co., Ltd. announced on the 28th that they confirmed the inhibitory effect on the COVID-19 virus in cell experiments using extracts from abalone viscera and seaweeds such as tot, cheonggak, and dashima produced on the coast of Jeonnam.

The joint research team published these findings in the globally authoritative marine pharmaceutical journal, Marine Drugs.

Coronavirus infection occurs when the virus (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) spike protein binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-2) receptor on the cell surface, allowing the virus to penetrate the cell.

In cell experiments, the joint research team confirmed that high molecular weight intestinal polysaccharides with high fucose content from abalone viscera and seaweed interfere with the binding of the virus (COVID-19) spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-2) receptor, thereby inhibiting infection.

The experiment involved hot water extraction of abalone viscera and seaweed, removal of alginate, and treatment of crude polysaccharides at various concentrations to human embryonic kidney cells engineered to overexpress angiotensin-converting enzyme along with a pseudo coronavirus, followed by infection assessment after 96 hours.

As a result, the inhibitory effects on pseudo coronavirus cell penetration were analyzed in the order of abalone viscera, tot, cheonggak, dashima, fucoidan, and miyeokgwi.

Dr. Lim Seonggeun of the Marine Bio Research Center stated, “Abalone mainly feed on dashima and miyeok, and the polysaccharides extracted from abalone viscera are converted into polysaccharides with higher bioactivity by microorganisms symbiotic in the abalone viscera compared to those extracted from seaweed.” He added, “Since coronavirus infection begins in the ciliated and goblet cells of the nasal mucosa, we plan to verify the effects through animal experiments and human application trials and develop COVID-19 preventive products.”

Polysaccharides extracted from seaweed or abalone viscera help reduce the risk of coronavirus infection through the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, and through intestinal immune enhancement by polysaccharides including fucoidan, they are expected to help alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

Jung Gujin, director of the Marine Bio Research Center, said, “Although polysaccharides extracted from abalone viscera and seaweed significantly inhibit pseudo coronavirus cell penetration in cell experiments, these results were derived under limited experimental conditions.” He added, “We will conduct follow-up joint research with the Jeonbuk National University Institute of Zoonotic Infectious Diseases to support domestic seaweed and abalone farming households facing difficulties.”

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province and Wando County are investing 25 billion KRW this year to expand production facilities for bioactive seaweed materials to establish a production system for marine bio raw materials such as health functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and functional cosmetics extracted from various seaweeds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.