In vitro anti-influenza potential of glyceroglycolipids from cyanobacteria Limnospira fusiformis

Authors: ANNAM, SURESH CHANDRA - University Of Mississippi; ELBERMAWI, AHMED - University Of Mississippi; HUH, JUNGMOO - University Of Mississippi; ZHANG, JIN - University Of Mississippi; ALI, ZULFIQAR - University Of Mississippi; KHAN, IKHLAS - University Of Mississippi; PUGH, NIRMAL - University Of Mississippi; CHITTIBOYINA, AMAR - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2025
Publication Date: 8/5/2025
Citation: Annam, S.V., Elbermawi, A., Huh, J., Zhang, J., Ali, Z., Khan, I.A., Pugh, N.D., Chittiboyina, A.G. 2025. In vitro anti-influenza potential of glyceroglycolipids from cyanobacteria Limnospira fusiformis. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 128/ Article 130358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2025.130358.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2025.130358

Interpretive Summary: Respiratory viral infections, encompassing both pandemic and seasonal epidemics, remain a significant public health challenge and impose a substantial economic burden. Natural product research offers a promising avenue for the discovery and development of novel antiviral therapeutics. Furthermore, botanical dietary supplements and traditional medicines with immunomodulatory properties may serve as effective therapies by increasing host resiliency in these infections.  One such product being investigated by University of Mississippi Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center is Immulina®, a botanical extract of Limnospira (formerly Arthrospira) fusiformis, which enhances antiviral immune resilience. Previous research has demonstrated antiviral activity of glyceroglycolipids, including a specific type called SQDGs.  This current study expands the known antiviral spectrum of SQDGs by demonstrating antiinfluenza activity exhibited by specific compounds within this class.  These findings suggest that the glyceroglycolipid-enriched fraction from Limnospira holds the potential for direct acting antiviral properties.

Technical Abstract: Previously, a chemical standardization method quantifying six fatty acids was established for Limnospira (formerly Arthrospira) authenticity and quality control. Since glyceroglycolipids constitute a significant source of fatty acids in Limnospira, a targeted phytochemical investigation was performed that resulted in the identification of two novel diacylated glycerol sulfoquinvosides and four known compounds. Notably, in vitro anti-influenza activity of isolated and analogous glyceroglycolipids, specifically two glyceroglycolipids, incorporating gamma-linolenic acid and sulfoquinvose units tethered to a glycerol backbone, exhibited the highest anti-influenza activity. These findings suggest that the glyceroglycolipid-enriched fraction from Limnospira holds the potential for directacting antiviral properties.