Planta Med 2014; 80 - PP11
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382706

Protective effect of orally administered Spirulina braun-type lipoproteins against influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in mice

ND Pugh 1, D Edwall 2, L Lindmark 3, KG Kousoulas 4, A Iyer 5, DS Pasco 1, 6
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research
  • 6Department of Pharmacognosy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University MS 38677
  • 2Doktor Edwall AB, Djursholm, Sweden
  • 3Kasima Medical Development AB, Falsterbo, Sweden
  • 4Division of Biotechnology & Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
  • 5Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Ames, IA 50010

Previous studies indicate that Immulina®, a commercial extract of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, is a potent activator of innate immune cells and that bacterial Braun-type lipoproteins (a principal toll-like receptor 2 ligand) are the main active components within this product. In the present study, mice fed Immulina® for 30 days prior to infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the severity of infection. Compared to the control group, Immulina®-fed mice exhibited more appetite, reduced weight loss, diminished clinical signs of disease and lower lung histopathology scores. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that oral administration of bacterial components that activate immune cells, whether derived from a bacterial preparation (probiotics or cyanobacterial extracts) or from bacteria associated with plants as endophytes, can exhibit a protective effect against influenza A (H1N1) viral infection.

Acknowledgements: This research was funded by Scandinavian Clinical Nutrition AB (Stockholm, Sweden). NDP and DSP were partially supported by the USDA, Agricultural Research Service Specific Cooperative Agreement Nos. 58 – 6408 – 6-067 and 58 – 6408 – 1-603 (NCNPR/University of Mississippi).