Antiviral activity of microalgae extracts against Mayaro virus

Mayaro fever, as it is called the disease caused by the Mayaro virus (MAYV), which presents symptoms similar to those of dengue and Zika fevers such as fever, rash, and arthralgia. Once the disease is detected, the treatment is still non-specific since up to the moment there is no therapy capable of curing. Historically, the most affected areas by Mayaro infections are bordered by the Amazon State, or located in the Amazon forest, North of Brazil. Moreover, researches have detected three confirmed cases in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Many natural compounds from microalgae have attracted special attention owing to their broad spectrum of biological activities and they are called biopharmaceuticals. In this work, we performed a technological mapping aiming to prospect microalgae applied to Biopharmaceuticals. From this study, four strains of microalgae prospected were cultured and their antiviral activity was assayed in vitro against MAYV. The cell viability tests were performed on VERO cells (Verda Reno Cells) to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the extracts by CC50 notation and the inactivation capacity of the MAYV as measured by TCID50. The results showed that all the microalgae strains presented anti-Mayaro activity and the relative potency was superior to ribavirin, the commercial antiviral. Also, the preliminary characterization by TLC and NMR 1H analysis indicated in the extract composition terpenoid molecules and the majority presence of unsaturated aliphatic molecules. •Microalgae have prospected as sources of antiviral molecules.•Extract of A. maxima has greater antiviral activity against Mayaro virus.•All microalgae extracts show higher Mayaro virus inactivation than antiviral ribavirin.