Breaking the virus: Yeast glucans as an effective alternative to acyclovir in HSVI treatment.

Eur J Pharm Biopharm

Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal; Amyris Bio Products Portugal, Unipessoal Lda, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal.

Published: March 2025

Glucans, structural polysaccharides in the yeast cell wall, are known for their biological and immunomodulatory capacities, helping in prevention and management of infections. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSVI) is a prevalent infection that causes great comorbidity and is challenging to treat due to the adverse effects of standard antiviral drugs like acyclovir. This study assessed the potential of yeast glucans extracted from two different origins - a steviol-glycoside producing strain and a wild-type strain- to circumvent HSVI infection, either in vitro and ex vivo. Treatment with glucans in keratinocytes and macrophages in vitro reduced cell infection similarly to acyclovir. However, unlike acyclovir, glucans demonstrated an immunostimulatory effect, increasing the production of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6. Additionally, both glucans were formulated with squalane for skin application. This formulation improved glucans penetration in the skin, restored skin structure and reduced the cytopathic effect of HSVI infection. In summary, this study highlights yeast glucans as a natural therapeutic alternative for HSVI treatment, offering an option with an excellent safety profile. Moreover, using glucans from industrial side-streams promotes a sustainable approach, contributing to the circular economy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2025.114684DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

yeast glucans
12
glucans
9
hsvi treatment
8
treatment glucans
8
hsvi infection
8
hsvi
5
breaking virus
4
yeast
4
virus yeast
4
glucans effective
4

Similar Publications

Sequential sugar consumption, from a preferred sugar source to a less preferred one, represents a critical metabolic adaptation in yeast, which is particularly relevant for survival in fluctuating environments such as those found in beer fermentation. However, sugar transitions are an environmental variable that is challenging to predict and detect, impacting the outcome of beer fermentations. This protocol describes an in vivo system to monitor transcriptional activation associated with the glucose-to-maltose metabolic shift in Saccharomyces eubayanus that applies to different wild Saccharomyces yeast strains.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects a significant proportion of women during reproductive years, with recurrent infections posing a considerable therapeutic challenge. Conventional treatments, such as clotrimazole (Clo) administration, often require frequent application due to low aqueous solubility and rapid clearance. To address these issues, a novel hydrogel-based drug delivery system (DDS) was developed, combining β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) for Clo encapsulation and halloysite nanotubes (HNT) for curcumin (Cur) delivery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The transcription factor ClWRKY61 interacts with ClLEA55 to enhance salt tolerance in watermelon.

Hortic Res

March 2025

State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.

High salinity can severely inhibit the growth and development of watermelon ( L.). WRKY proteins are believed to mediate the adaptation of plants to abiotic stresses.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Brown macroalgae are a promising source for bioethanol production, primarily due to their high carbohydrate, low lignin and high moisture content. Bioconversion of macroalgae to ethanol requires a yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that can hydrolyse the macroalgal carbohydrates, namely laminarin, mannitol and alginate. In this study, the mannitol dehydrogenase (MDH) genes from Aspergillus fumigatus (AfMDH) and Talaromyces islandicus (TiMDH), and the alginate lyase (AL) genes from Sphingomonas sp.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Breaking the virus: Yeast glucans as an effective alternative to acyclovir in HSVI treatment.

Eur J Pharm Biopharm

March 2025

Universidade Católica Portuguesa, CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal; Amyris Bio Products Portugal, Unipessoal Lda, Rua Diogo Botelho 1327, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal.

Glucans, structural polysaccharides in the yeast cell wall, are known for their biological and immunomodulatory capacities, helping in prevention and management of infections. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSVI) is a prevalent infection that causes great comorbidity and is challenging to treat due to the adverse effects of standard antiviral drugs like acyclovir. This study assessed the potential of yeast glucans extracted from two different origins - a steviol-glycoside producing strain and a wild-type strain- to circumvent HSVI infection, either in vitro and ex vivo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!