Title:Polysaccharides to Combat Viruses (COVID-19) and Microbes: New
updates
Volume: 15
Author(s): Manaf AlMatar*, Essam A. Makky, Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli, Nesibe Ebru Kafkas and Fatih Köksal
Affiliation:
- Department of Biology, Sohar University, Faculty of Education and Arts, Sohar, 311, Sultanate of Oman
Keywords:
Polysaccharides, Covid-19, microbes, biofilm, antiviral activity, natural sources.
Abstract: COVID-19, which is speedily distributed across the world and presents a significant
challenge to public health, is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2). Following MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS, this is the third severe
coronavirus outbreak in less than 20 years. To date, there are no exact agents and vaccines available
for the treatment of COVID-19 that are clinically successful. Antimicrobial medications are effective
in controlling infectious diseases. However, the extensive use of antibiotics makes microbes
more resistant to drugs and demands novel bioactive agents’ development. Polysaccharides are currently
commonly used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries for their remarkable applications.
Polysaccharides appear to have a wide range of anti-virus (anti-coronavirus) and antimicrobial
applications. Polysaccharides are able to induce bacterial cell membrane disruption as they demonstrate
potency in binding onto the surfaces of microbial cells. Here, the antiviral mechanisms
of such polysaccharides and their success in the application of antiviral infections are reviewed. Additionally,
this report provides a summary of current advancements of well-recognized
polysaccharides as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents.