Dextrin Sulphate and Fucoidan are Potent Inhibitors of HIV Infection in vitro

Two sulphated polysaccharides, fucoidan (a derivative of seaweed) and the newly synthesised dextrin sulphate, were tested for their ability to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in vitro in comparison to dextran sulphate and azidothymidine. They were found to be potent inhibitors of diverse strains of HIV-1 in a variety of human cell lines and in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) using a range of assays, including cell-free and cell-to-cell spread of infection. The drugs did not adversely affect cell proliferation or protein metabolism of PBL. As dextrin sulphate is less potent than dextran sulphate in prolonging thrombin-induced fibrin clotting time, it merits further development as an antiviral agent.