This study identified calcium spirulan, a compound derived from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), as the active agent preventing Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) from entering human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) in vitro. The antiviral activity was attributed specifically to calcium spirulan, not to any component of the cell culture medium.
The HaCaT keratinocyte model used in this research was maintained in medium supplemented with 10% Human Platelet Lysate (HPL) from PL BioScience. HPL provided the human-derived, xeno-free culture foundation for the experimental system, supporting a human-relevant environment in which the antiviral effect of calcium spirulan could be studied.
