Antiviral composition comprising a sulfated polysaccharide

Abstract

The present invention provides for the use of iota- and/or kappa-carrageenan for the manufacture of an antiviral pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of a pathological condition or disease caused by or associated with an infection by a respiratory virus selected from the group consisting of orthomyxovirus, paramyxovirus, adenovirus and coronavirus. The present invention further provides for the use of fucoidan, in particular of high molecular weight fucoidan, for the manufacture of an antiviral pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of a pathological condition or disease caused by or associated with an infection by a respiratory virus selected from the group consisting of orthomyxovirus and paramyxovirus.

1 . Iota-carrageenan in an antiviral effective amount for use as an antiviral active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition or medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a symptom, condition or disease caused by or associated with an infection by a respiratory virus selected from the group consisting of paramyxovirus, human influenza A virus, and adenovirus of subtype B. 
     
     
         2 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the respiratory virus is a virus that enters a host cell via receptor-mediated attachment to the cell, the receptor comprising one or more sugar residues. 
     
     
         3 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said respiratory virus is a paramyxovirus. 
     
     
         4 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said respiratory virus is a human influenza A virus. 
     
     
         5 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said virus binds to the host cell via a cell surface receptor that comprises sialic acid residues having alpha 2-6 linkages. 
     
     
         6 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said respiratory virus is an adenovirus of subtype B. 
     
     
         7 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said paramyxovirus is selected from the group consisting of human parainfluenza virus (HPV) type 1, HPV type 2, HPV type 3, HPV type 4 and RSV. 
     
     
         8 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said paramyxovirus is RSV. 
     
     
         9 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pathological condition or disease is selected from the group consisting of acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, croup, acute bronchiolitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, asthma and pneumonia. 
     
     
         10 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said symptom is selected from the group consisting of fever, pain, dizziness, shivering, sweating, and dehydration. 
     
     
         11 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the antiviral pharmaceutical composition or medicament is adapted for topical skin or mucosal use and is prepared as one of a skin lotion, cream, ointment, gel and powder, including a powder for inhalation, spray, foam, liquid drops, or a gargle solution. 
     
     
         12 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the antiviral pharmaceutical composition or medicament is adapted for oral administration and is prepared as a liquid solution, or as a semi-solid or solid preparation such as a dry powder, tablets, capsules, or dragees. 
     
     
         13 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the composition is liquid or semi-solid and comprises as a ready-for-use preparation iota-carrageenan in an amount of between 0.01% and 10% by weight, relative to the total volume of the preparation. 
     
     
         14 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the composition is solid and comprises as a ready-for-use preparation iota-carrageenan in an amount of between 0.01% and 10% by weight. 
     
     
         15 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises kappa-carrageenan. 
     
     
         16 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises 50% or more by dry weight, relative to the total dry weight of carrageenans present in the composition. 
     
     
         17 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or additive. 
     
     
         18 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable additive comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable alkali metal salt. 
     
     
         19 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable salt is present in the composition in an amount of 1% or less. 
     
     
         20 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a part or all of iota-carrageenan by way of its salt. 
     
     
         21 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is sterile. 
     
     
         22 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is attached by either coating or impregnation to a solid surface of a hygiene or sanitary item. 
     
     
         23 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is integrated in a lipstick. 
     
     
         24 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a non-carrageenan physiologically active compound, said compound as the main active ingredient. 
     
     
         25 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein iota-carrageenan is present as an anti-paramyxoviral or anti-orthomyxoviral adjuvant together with one or more non-carrageenan physiologically active substances that are applied in the prophylaxis or therapy of infectious and/or inflammatory diseases, allergies and/or conditions of an impaired or suppressed immune system. 
     
     
         26 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pathological condition or disease is in an individual being a high-risk patient selected from the group consisting of a COPD-patient, an asthma patient, a person with allergies, a person with impaired immune, cardiac, or pulmonary system, and a transplantation patient. 
     
     
         27 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the composition is liquid or semi-solid and comprises as a ready-for-use preparation iota-carrageenan in an amount of between 0.01% and 10% by weight, relative to the total volume of the preparation. 
     
     
         28 . Iota-carrageenan as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the sanitary item is a hygiene or sanitary glove, tissue or paper, a nasal tissue or paper, a cotton swab, dust mask or sanitary or medical facial mask.