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The review presents the characteristics of modern biocompatible and biodegradable wound dressings on the basis of seaweed polysaccharides (carrageenans of red algae, fucoidans and alginates of brown algae, ulvans of green algae) and notes the key physicochemical and biological properties that are important for constructing wounds dressings. There are information on various types of wound dressings and results of experimental and clinical tests of dressings in the treatment of wounds of various origins. Particular attention is paid to hydrogel dressings, since hydrogels meet the basic requirements for an ideal wound dressing, and many marine polysaccharides are able to form hydrogels.

Measurements of ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) and thermal hysteresis (TH) activities of kappa (kappa)- and iota (iota)-carrageenans were carried out to examine whether they can be novel cryoprotectants or not. IRI measurements indicate that both carrageenans reduce recrystallization in sucrose solution, but that the IRI activity of kappa-carregeenan is higher than that of iota-carrageenan. TH measurements indicate that kappa- and iota-carrageenans do not exhibit TH activity. TH activity measurements of antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) in the presence of kappa-carregeenan demonstrate that this carregeenan neither influences the TH activity of AFGP nor the shape of the ice crystals. The round ice crystal shape transformed into an angular and elongated shape in the presence of both carregeenans.

The use of emulsifiers in processed foods and the rapid epidemic development of metabolic syndrome in Western countries over the past 20 years have generated growing interest. Evidence for the role of emulsifiers in metabolic syndrome through gut microbiota has not been clearly established, thus making it challenging for clinical nutritionists and dietitians to make evidence-based associations between the nature and the quantity of emulsifiers and metabolic disorders. This narrative review summarizes the highest quality clinical evidence currently available about the impact of food emulsifiers on gut microbiota composition and functions and the potential development of metabolic syndrome. The state-of-the-art of the different common emulsifiers is performed, highlighting where they are present in daily foods and their roles. Recent findings of in vitro, in vivo, and human studies assessing the effect of different emulsifiers on gut microbiota have been recently published. There is some progress in understanding how some food emulsifiers could contribute to developing metabolic diseases through gut microbiota alterations while others could have prebiotic effects. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding daily consumption amounts and the synergic effects between emulsifiers’ intake and responses by the microbial signatures of each individual.

Galactans are important components of many plant cell walls. Besides, they are the major polysaccharides in extracellular matrixes from different seaweeds, and other marine organisms, which have an acidic character due to the presence of sulfate groups in their structures. In particular, most of the red seaweeds biosynthesize sulfated galactans with very special linear backbones, constituted by alternating (1→3)-β-d-galactopyranose units (A-unit) and (1→4)-α-galactopyranose residues (B-unit). In the industrially significant seaweeds as source of hydrocolloids, B-units belong either to the d-series and they produce carrageenans (as in the order Gigartinales), or to the l-series, and they are sources of agarose and/or structurally related polymers (i.e., Gelidiales, Gracilariales). In both cases, the latter units appear as cyclized 3,6-anhydro-α-galactose in certain amounts, which can be increased by alkaline cyclization of α-galactose 6-sulfate units. Besides, it has been clearly shown that some red algae produce different amounts of both galactan structures, known as d/l-hybrids. It is not yet clear if they comprise both diasteromeric types of units in the same molecule, or if they are mixtures of carrageenans and agarans that are very difficult to separate. It has been reported that the biosynthesis of these galactans, showing that the nucleotide transport for d-galactopyranose units is UDP-d-Gal, while for l-galactose, it is GDP-l-Gal, so, there is a different pathway in the biosynthesis of agarans. However, at least in those seaweeds that produce carrageenans as major galactans, but also agarans, both synthetic pathways should coexist. Another interesting characteristic of these galactans is the important variation in the sulfation patterns, which modulate their physical behavior in aqueous solutions. Although the most common carrageenans are of the κ/ι- and λ-types (with A-units sulfated at the 4- and 2-positions, respectively) and usually in agarans, when sulfated, is at the 6-position, many other sulfate arrangements have been reported, greatly influencing the functional properties of the corresponding galactans. Other substituents can modify their structures, as methyl ethers, pyruvic acid ketals, acetates, and single stubs of xylose or other monosaccharides. It has been shown that structural heterogeneity at some extent is essential for the proper functional performance of red algal galactans.

Edible films were elaborated with sodium caseinate and different types of carrageenans (iota, kappa or lambda), and glycerol as plasticizer, to determine the different specific interactions between caseinate and carrageenans on physical and mechanical properties via a response surface methodology approach. The different sulphate groups content in the different carrageenans affected differentially edible films properties. The use of lambda carrageenan in edible film formulation resulted in more soluble and permeably film, with a concomitantly both less rigid and more elastic structure. The edible film formulation was optimized to 8.0 % of caseinate, 0.4% of carrageenan (irrespectively of the type) and 0.3% of glycerol.

Vaccine adjuvants help to enhance the immunogenicity of weak antigens. The adjuvant effect of certain substances was noted long ago (the 40s of the last century), and since then a large number of adjuvants belonging to different groups of chemicals have been studied. This review presents research data on the nonspecific action of substances originated from marine organisms, their derivatives and complexes, united by the name ‘adjuvants’. There are covered the mechanisms of their action, safety, as well as the practical use of adjuvants derived from marine hydrobionts in medical immunology and veterinary medicine to create modern vaccines that should be non-toxic and efficient. The present review is intended to briefly describe some important achievements in the use of marine resources to solve this important problem.

Wound healing involves a complex cascade of cellular, molecular, and biochemical responses and signaling processes. It consists of successive interrelated phases, the duration of which depends on a multitude of factors. Wound treatment is a major healthcare issue that can be resolved by the development of effective and affordable wound dressings based on natural materials and biologically active substances. The proper use of modern wound dressings can significantly accelerate wound healing with minimum scar mark. Sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds, with their unique structures and biological properties, as well as with a high potential to be used in various wound treatment methods, now undoubtedly play a major role in innovative biotechnologies of modern natural interactive dressings. These natural biopolymers are a novel and promising biologically active source for designing wound dressings based on alginates, fucoidans, carrageenans, and ulvans, which serve as active and effective therapeutic tools. The goal of this review is to summarize available information about the modern wound dressing technologies based on seaweed-derived polysaccharides, including those successfully implemented in commercial products, with a focus on promising and innovative designs. Future perspectives for the use of marine-derived biopolymers necessitate summarizing and analyzing results of numerous experiments and clinical trial data, developing a scientifically substantiated approach to wound treatment, and suggesting relevant practical recommendations.

The effect of carrageenans on tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) replication and symptom expression was studied. Three-week-old tomato plants were spray-treated with iota(ɩ)-, lambda(λ)-, and kappa(κ)-carrageenan at 1 g·L-1 and inoculated with TCDVd after 48 h. The λ-carrageenan significantly suppressed viroid symptom expression after eight weeks of inoculation, only 28% plants showed distinctive bunchy-top symptoms as compared to the 82% in the control group. Viroid concentration was reduced in the infected shoot cuttings incubated in λ-carrageenan amended growth medium. Proteome analysis revealed that 16 tomato proteins were differentially expressed in the λ-carrageenan treated plants. Jasmonic acid related genes, allene oxide synthase (AOS) and lipoxygenase (LOX), were up-regulated in λ-carrageenan treatment during viroid infection. Taken together, our results suggest that λ-carrageenan induced tomato defense against TCDVd, which was partly jasmonic acid (JA) dependent, and that it could be explored in plant protection against viroid infection.

Algal compounds exhibit great potential to enhance plant growth and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. This review focuses on aspects concerning the physical-chemical properties, function and biological activity of macroalgae polysaccharides. Updated results of the main poly- and oligosaccharides studied for the control of plant diseases are discussed and summarized. The carrageenans from red algae have a well-established obtaining system, but its high market value discourages its use in plant protection. The fucans found in the cell walls of brown algae are present in several fertilizers and accounted for the benefits of such commercial products on plant physiology. The laminarans, from brown algae mainly Laminaria digitata, are currently the main algal polysaccharides on the phytosanitary market. The ulvans, from cell the walls of Ulva spp., open new ways to obtain polysaccharides able to induce resistance due to its abundance worldwide. All these algal polysaccharides show ability to activate multiple plant defense mechanisms against a broad spectrum of plant pathogens. Taking into account the promising results reported in the literature and the enormous biochemical diversity of these biopolymers, it is likely that they will provide new types of resistance inducers in a near future.

Sulfated polysaccharides are recognized for their broad range of biological activities, including anticoagulant properties. The positions occupied by the sulfate groups are often related to the level of the inherent biological activity. Herein the naturally sulfated galactans, kappa-, iota- and theta-carrageenan, were additionally sulfated by regioselective means. The anticoagulant activity of the resulting samples was then studied using the aPTT in vitro assay. The influence of sulfate regiochemistry on the anticoagulant activity was evaluated. From kappa-carrageenan three rare polysaccharides were synthesized, one of them involved a synthetic route with an amphiphilic polysaccharide intermediate containing pivaloyl groups. Iota- and theta-carrageenan were utilized in a selective C6 sulfation at β-d-Galp units to produce different structures comprising trisulfated diads. All the samples were characterized by NMR (1D and 2D). The resulting aPPT measurements suggested that sulfation at C2 of 3,6-anhydro-α-d-Galp and C6 of β-d-Galp increased the anticoagulant activity.

International audience; Polysaccharides from seaweeds are interesting materials for food and pharmaceutical applications such as drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Extraction of these biopolymers is usually performed during several hours to obtain a significant extraction yield. In this paper, we report on a new process to extract alginates from brown seaweeds (Sargassum binderi and Turbinaria ornata) and carrageenans from red seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii and Euchema denticulatum) with the assistance of ultrasound. The effect of several parameters (pH, temperature, algae/water ratio, ultrasound power and duration) was investigated to determine optimal extraction conditions. The extracted polysaccharides represented up to 55% of the seaweeds dry weight and were obtained in a short time (15–30 min) as compared to 27% in 2 h for conventional extraction. NMR, FTIR and SEC analysis were used to characterise the extracted polymers. Ultrasound allowed the reduction of extraction time without affecting the chemical structure and molar mass distribution of alginates and carrageenans.

Two polysaccharide fractions isolated from Hypnea musciformis after room temperature- and hot water extraction, soluble after KCl precipitation of the more abundant carrageenans, were subfractionated by ion-exchange chromatography eluting with increasing concentrations of NaCl. The lowest NaCl concentration (0.2 M) eluted agarans. The DL-hybrids (or mixtures) eluted at intermediate concentrations of NaCl. The D/L-galactose ratio and the sulfate proportion increased with the NaCl concentration. Different types of substitution were present, mainly at C-3 with sulfate, Xyl and methylated Gal stubs, as well as low amounts of 3,6-AnGal. A novel constituent, identified as 3-C-carboxy-D-erythrose1 in its β-furanosic form, was found linked to C-6 of β-Gal units. A search carried out in other species like Iridaea undulosa and Kappaphycus alvarezii also revealed the same constituent. Finally, the late-eluting fractions were mostly carrageenans, with a structure consistent with that of a κ/ι/ν-carrageenan hybrid. Fil: Cosenza, Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Navarro, Diego Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Stortz, Carlos Arturo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina

The understanding of the processes occurring in Nature has been a continuing concern throughout the history of mankind. Intellectual tools employed towards this goal were specific for each period and have been largely based on the prevailing paradigms that reigned in the past. In this work we present evidence that supports the idea of viruses as key agents mediating natural processes linked to the evolution of organisms, particularly those involved in the flux of genes in the environment. This point of view tinges our perception of Nature and prompts us to include “viral” creativity and plasticity among the tools we employ to analyze those processes far beyond actual paradigms. Experimental data to support this proposal arose during the study of the interaction of the human pathogen, herpes simplex virus (HSV) with sulfated polysaccharides during multiplication of the virus in vitro. Sulfated polysaccharides are the main chemical structures found in carrageenans (CGNs) that are natural products obtained from seaweeds, which proved to be strong inhibitors for the virus. Here we describe the interaction between virus and CGNs as a suitable scenario for the emergence of viral variants which proved to be markedly attenuated for mice. A striking feature of these variants is that they showed changes at the level of conserved regions of the genome such as the DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase genes. In view of these findings, the importance of HSV evolution towards attenuated variants by the action of polysaccharides is also discussed. Attenuation may be considered part of a natural evolutionary process enabling the virus to contribute with valuable information for the host. Fil: Artuso, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina Fil: Roldan, Julieta Suyay. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina Fil: Scolaro, Luis Alberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina Fil: Carlucci, Maria Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina

Plants incessantly encounter abiotic and biotic stresses that limit their growth and productivity. However, conversely, plant growth can also be induced by treatments with various abiotic and biotic elicitors. Carrageenans are sulfated linear polysaccharides that represent major cellular constituents of seaweeds belonging to red algae (Rhodophyta). Recent research has unraveled the biological activity of carrageenans and of their oligomeric forms, the oligo carrageenans (OCs), as promoters of plant growth and as elicitors of defense responses against pests and diseases. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which carrageenans and OCs mediate plant growth and plant defense responses. Carrageenans and OCs improve plant growth by regulating various metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and ancillary pathways, cell division, purine and pyrimidine synthetic pathways as well as metabolic pathways involved in nitrogen and sulfur assimilation. Carrageenans and OCs also induce plant defense responses against viroids, viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects by modulating the activity of different defense pathways, including salicylate, jasmonate and ethylene signaling pathways. Further studies will likely substantiate the beneficial effects of carrageenans and of OCs on plant growth and plant defense responses and open new avenues for their use in agriculture and horticultural industry.

Modeling of the conversion of methyl 4-O-methyl-α-d-galactopyranoside 6-sulfate (2) and 2,6-disulfate (1) into methyl 3,6-anhydro-4-O-methyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (4) and its 2-sulfate (3), respectively (Scheme 1) has been carried out using DFT at the M06-2X/6–311 + G(d,p)//M06-2X/6–31 + G(d,p) level with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) in water. The three steps necessary for the alkaline transformation of 6-sulfated (and 2,6-disulfated) galactose units into 3,6-anhydro derivatives were evaluated. The final substitution step appears to be the rate limiting, involving an activation energy of ca. 23 kcal/mol. The other two steps (deprotonation and chair inversion) combined involve lower activation energies (9–12 kcal/mol). Comparison of the thermodynamics and kinetics of the reactions suggest that if the deprotonation step precedes the chair inversion, the reaction should be faster for both compounds. No major differences in reaction rate can be theoretically predicted to be caused by the presence of sulfate on O-2, although one experimental result suggested that O-2 sulfation should increase the reaction rate. The conformational pathways are complex, given the large number of rotamers available for each compound, and the way that some of these rotamers combine into some of the pathways. In any case, the conf Fil: Cosenza, Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Navarro, Diego Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Stortz, Carlos Arturo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina

Natural polysaccharides are promising materials in terms of use as pharmaceutical excipients due to their features such as cost-effectiveness, nontoxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. They are also flexible for chemical modifications for fine-tuning the desired properties. In addition to the continued utilization of conventional natural gums, extensive research endeavours are taking place on the modification of natural polysaccharides and the exploration of polysaccharides from unconventional natural resources for their potential use in pharmaceutics. © 2015 by Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

Thromboembolic diseases are increasing worldwide and always require anticoagulant therapy. We still need safer and more secure antithrombotic drugs than those presently available. Sulfated polysaccharides from marine organisms may constitute a new source for the development of such drugs. Investigation of these compounds usually attempts to reproduce the therapeutic effects of heparin. However, we may need to follow different routes, focusing particularly in the following aspects: (1) defining precisely the specific structures required for interaction of these sulfated polysaccharides with proteins of the coagulation system; (2) looking for alternative mechanisms of action, distinct from those of heparin; (3) identifying side effects (mostly pro-coagulant action and hypotension rather than bleeding) and preparing derivatives that retain the desired antithrombotic action but are devoid of side effects; (4) considering that sulfated polysaccharides with low anticoagulant action on in vitro assays may display potent effects on animal models of experimental thrombosis; and finally (5) investigating the antithrombotic effect of these sulfated polysaccharides after oral administration or preparing derivatives that may achieve this effect. If these aspects are successfully addressed, sulfated polysaccharides from marine organisms may conquer the frontier of antithrombotic therapy and open new avenues for treatment or prevention of thromboembolic diseases.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of l-carrageenans on EHV-3 in vitro. Confluent monolayers of EDerm cells were infected with 590 plaque forming units (PFU) of EHV-3 per well, simultaneously, with different concentrations of l-carrageenans in a total volume of 500 ml. After 1 h of incubation at 37C, inoculum was discarded and minimum essential medium supplemented with carboxymethyl cellulose 0.75% was added. Inst.de Virología Fil: Vissani, Aldana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología: Argentina Fil: Galdo Novo, Sabrina. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Area de Virología; Argentina Fil: Ciancia, Marina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Biología Aplicada y Alimentos. Cátedra de Química de Biomoléculas; Argentina Fil: Zabal, Osvaldo Alfredo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología: Argentina. Universidad del Salvador. Escuela de Veterinaria. Cátedra de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Argentina Fil: Thiry, Etienne. University of Liege. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. FARAH Center. Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. Veterinary Virology and Animal Viral Diseases; Bélgica Fil: Bratanich, Ana Cristina. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Area de Virología; Argentina Fil: Barrandeguy, Maria Edith. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología: Argentina

This work reports a chemical and rheological study of the carrageenans from Hypnea musciformis, a red seaweed commercially known for its production of κ-carrageenan. The polysaccharides were extracted with water both at room temperature and at 90 °C: the yield of the latter was about six times larger than the former. Fractionation with KCl yielded a large proportion (50–67%) of a precipitate with 0.125 M of this salt for both extracts, with characteristics of a nearly pure κ-carrageenan, as determined by methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Smaller amounts of fractions precipitating at higher concentrations showed a basic κ-carrageenan structure, but included some ι-carrageenan diads. The KCl-soluble polysaccharides showed a larger complexity, containing d- and l-galactans or d/l-hybrids. Some differences in the rheological properties of these carrageenans have been found. Although all KCl-precipitating polysaccharides form true gels at 10 °C in presence of KCl, those extracted with hot water form stronger gels than those extracted at room temperature. Both purified κ-carrageenans show lower gelling and melting temperature than the whole polysaccharides from which they were originated. Fil: Cosenza, Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Navarro, Diego Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Fissore, Eliana Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Rojas, Ana Maria Luisa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Stortz, Carlos Arturo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina

The partially cyclized μ/ν-carrageenan 1C3, isolated from the red seaweed Gigartina skottsbergii, was previously shown to be a potent inhibitor of the in vitro replication of Herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2). Here the protective effect of 1C3 in a murine model of intraperitoneal (i. p.) HSV-1 infection was evaluated. OF1 mice were i. p. infected with 5 × 105 PFU of HSV-1 KOS strain, and the effects of different treatments with 1C3 were studied. When 30 mg/kg of body weight of 1C3 was administered by the i. p. route immediately after HSV-1 infection, 87.5 % survival of the animals was achieved (p < 0.005), associated with a delay in the mean day of death in 1C3-treated non-surviving mice. Animal survival was not improved when multiple doses of 1C3 were also given in the period 1 - 48 h post-infection, and no protection was afforded when treatment was started after 24 h of infection. When virus and compound were injected by different routes, i. p. and intravenous (i. v.), respectively, a still significant protection was achieved (40 % survival, p < 0.05). No toxicity of 1C3 for the animals was recorded. The pharmacokinetic properties were analyzed after injection of 1C3 into the tail vein by monitoring of [3 H]-1C3 in plasma and organs and by a bioassay of the anti-HSV-1 activity remaining in serum after non-radioactive 1C3 inoculation. A very rapid disappearance of the compound from the blood was observed since only 5.9 - 0.9 % of the radioactivity of the initially administered [3 H]-1C3 appeared in the plasma between 5 - 300 minutes after administration. A transient peak of radioactivity was detected in the kidney 15 minutes after inoculation. The bioassay confirms the presence of the compound circulating in a biologically active form up to 1 hour after injection. Fil: Pujol, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina Fil: Scolaro, Luis Alberto. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Ciancia, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina Fil: Matulewicz, Maria Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Cerezo, Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina Fil: Damonte, Elsa Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Virología; Argentina