Indian marine bivalves: Potential source of antiviral drugs

Abstract

Extracts prepared from economically important marine bivalves such as green mussel (Perna viridis), estuarine oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis), giant oyster (Crassostrea gryphoides), estuarine clam (Meretrix casta), black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) and mud clam (Polymesoda erosa) were found to possess high antiviral activity when tested with influenza virus strains type-A (A/Missisipi 1/85/H3N2) and type-B (B/Harbin 7/94). Maximum difference in the EID50 value was observed in the extract prepared from P. viridis for in vitro studies conducted with influenza virus type-A (2.50 lg) and virus type-B (3.00 lg). For in vivo studies, maximum difference in EID50 values was observed in the extracts of V. cyprinoides (4.00 lg) and P. erosa (4.00 lg) with influenza virus type-A.