Anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) activity of sulfated paramylon

Sulfated derivatives of paramylon, a water-insoluble (1-3)-beta-D-glucan from Euglena gracilis, significantly inhibited the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1, HIV-2) and the expression of HIV antigen in cultured MT-4, MOLT-4 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Native paramylon, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl paramylon, N,N-diethylaminoethyl paramylon, 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammoniopropyl paramylon chloride, and carboxymethyl paramylon had little or no anti-HIV activity. The anti-HIV activity of the sulfated paramylon derivatives depended on the number of sulfate groups, and the molecular weight. Paramylon sulfate significantly inhibited HIV-1 binding to MT-4 cells. The anti-coagulant activity of the sulfated paramylon derivatives also depended on the number of sulfate groups, but was generally lower than that of dextran sulfate. The results point to the potential of paramylon sulfate in the treatment of HIV infection.