A Screening Strategy for Selection of Anti-HSV-1 and Anti-HIV Extracts from Algae

In order to find new sources of antiviral agents with different mechanisms of action, extracts of 49 algae were assayed for antiherpes simplex virus (HSV) and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities. Twenty-five aqueous extracts showed anti-HSV activity, four of which were found to be most potent inhibitors with a selective index more than 1000. Eight samples of the aqueous extracts were identified as having activity against HIV replication. The result suggests that the extracts from algae are a promising source of antiviral agents which may act on different stages in virus replication cycle.