In vitro determination of inhibitory effects by humic substances complexing Zinc and Selenium on SARS-CoV-2 virus replication

 Bernadett Palyi, Zoltan Kis, Polett Hajdrik, Noemi S Kovacs, Daniel S Veres, Krisztian Szigeti, Imre Hegedus, Tibor J Kovacs, Ralf K Bergmann, Domokos Mathe

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.11.456012

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].

PDF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.11.456012v1.full.pdf

Abstract

Humic substances are well known human nutritional supplement materials and play important performance-enhancing roles as animal feed additives, too. For decades, ingredients of humic substances have also been proven to carry potent antiviral effects against different viruses. Here, the antiviral activity of a humic substance containing ascorbic acid, Se- and Zn2+ ions intended as a nutritional supplement material was investigated against SARS-CoV-2 virus B1.1.7 Variant of Concern (Alpha Variant) in a VeroE6 cell line. Results show that this combination has a significant in vitro antiviral effect at a very low concentration range of its intended active ingredients. Even picomolar concentration ranges of humic substances, vitamin C and Zn/Se ions in the given composition were enough to achieve fifty percent viral replication inhibition in the applied SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibition test. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, humic acid, fulvic acid, Zn-Se-ascorbic acid complex, antiviral activity, RT-PCR

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.11.456012v1