An Extracted Fraction of Pseudomonas Oleovorans Can Inhibit Viral Entry and RNA Replication of Hepatitis C Virus in Cell Culture

Abstract

The emergence and distribution of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still considered as an unsolved problem. Due to side effects, many synthetic drugs have been avoided and replaced by new biologically derived ones. Aim of this study was to use Pseudomonas oleovorans’  extract as HCV viral replication inhibition agent in cell culture system. Several factors were studied and the optimum growth conditions were selected for maximum production of antiviral substance. Pseudomonas oleovorans’ extract was fractionated using different concentrations of chloroform: methanol on silica gel columns. Analysis of potent fraction by GC/MS showed of tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acid methyl esters. The selected fraction was tested against HCV in vitro using two different protocols: viral attachment entry inhibition (Pre-incubation) and viral replication inhibition (Post infection). 0.1 µg / ml of the selected antiviral fraction resulted in inhibition of viral replication in Huh 7.5 cells. However, higher concentration of 100 µg / ml did not cause any viral inhibition. The selected bacterial fraction containing tetradecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid methyl esters could be used as a promising candidate to inhibit viral HCV entry and replication of HCV.