Microalgae Extracts Were Shown To Inhibit Flu Virus In Animal Study.
Central News Agency (Taiwan)
Reporter: Chin-Fong Chen
2005, Oct. 27th - TAIPEI, Taiwan. In research collaborations between FEBICO and Chang Gung University, both the animal and cell studies indicate that the microalgae extract can treat and prevent H1N1 flu virus from infecting healthy cells.
These studies focus on the H1N1 flu virus, which is different from the H5N1 avian flu virus that is currently infecting millions of birds worldwide.
Dr. Shin-Ru Shih of Clinical Virology at Chang Kung University (Taiwan) used Apogen, the special microalgae extract, in cellular experiments to compare effective concentration and toxicity between Apogen and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to the H1N1 flu virus. The results indicate that Apogen is lower in toxicity and also the required effective concentration is lower than oseltamivir.
In the animal study using 7 groups of mice, the results show that the H1N1 infected mice group survived when orally fed with Apogen for six days. On the other hand, the mice groups infected with H1N1 virus and not fed with Apogen all died from the infections within one week. The results were remarkable and quite promising for drug development. Apogen is being offered as a natural supplement to help fight with flu infections. Apogen is extracted from a special natural strain of blue-green algae cultivated in certified man-made ponds.
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