RESUMO
Objective The antiviral effects of polysaccharides from Eucheuma gelatinae and Eucheuma striatum on herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and coxsackie virus(CVB3) in vitro were assayed and their antiviral mechanism was elucidated.Methods The antiviral effects of samples were evaluated with cell cytotoxicity by MTT and cytopathic effect(CPE) methods.Antiviral mechanism of two extracts was investigated by four different ways.Results and Conclusion Polysaccharides from Eucheuma gelatinae and Eucheuma striatum had an obviously HSV-1 and CVB3 inhibitory effect.Antiviral activities of two extracts(ESPA and ESPA2) were better than acyclovir(ACV).Antiviral activities of all extracts were better than ribavirin injection.Polysaccharides from Eucheuma striatum had remarkable anti-CVB3 effects.The experiment also showed that Eucheuma polysaccharides not only kill the above viruses directly but also restrain them via getting into cells or absorbing on cells.