Chlorophyllin protects HEp‐2 cells from nuclear fragmentation induced by poliovirus

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 174 - 177
• Main Authors: Botelho, M.V.J., Orlandi, J.M., Melo, F.L., Mantovani, M.S., Linhares, R.E.C., Nozawa, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-01-2004; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: acridine orange; Antiviral Agents - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus - drug effects; Chlorophyllides - toxicity; chlorophyllin; Comet Assay; DNA Fragmentation - drug effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Microbiology; nuclear fragmentation; Poliovirus; Poliovirus - drug effects; Virus; chlorophyllin; comet assay; Picornaviridae; Applied microbiology; nuclear fragmentation; Enterovirus; Poliovirus; Orange; acridine orange
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X; 1365-2673
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2004.01556.x

Aims:  Chlorophyllin (CHLN) is a synthetic derivative of chlorophyll that possesses antimutagenic activity against several environmental contaminants. In the present study, CHLN was assayed for its capacity to prevent nuclear fragmentation (NF) in HEp‐2 cells infected with poliovirus.
Methods and Results:  CHLN was assayed at concentrations of 0·5 and 2·5 μg ml−1, and NF was monitored using the comet assay and acridine orange staining. We demonstrated that CHLN reduced the percentage of NF in poliovirus‐infected HEp‐2 cells, when cells were treated with drug before infection or exposed continuously to drug. However, the highest degree of protection was achieved when the virus was exposed to CHLN before infection followed by protocol where infected cultures were continuously exposed to the drug after infection.
Conclusions:  It is suggested that CHLN primarily binds to the virus which inhibits cell penetration, thereby maintaining nuclear integrity.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Considering that CHLN has several beneficial properties and no significant toxic effects in humans and animals, it would be an ideal candidate drug to test for antiviral activity.