5-amino levulinic acid inhibits Coronavirus infection

February 09, 2021

5-amino levulinic acid inhibits Coronavirus infection

Nagasaki University and Neopharma Japan found that 5-amino levulinic acid (5-ALA) inhibits Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, infection COVID-19. The research study was published on "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications".

Overview

Effective treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic is immediately neccessary. 5-ALA is a naturally synthesized amino acid that is used for various purposes such as cancer therapy and also healthy foods due to its high bioavailability. In this study, they showed that 5-ALA strongly suppresses infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus of COVID-19, in cultured cells. This antiviral effect was observed in both human and non-human cells without overt cytotoxicity. Therefore, 5-ALA is considered to be worth further research as a candidate for antiviral drug against COVID-19.

URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X2100156X

Topics of the research

5-ALA suppressed SARS-CoV-2 infection in cultured cells.
The antiviral effect of 5-ALA was more pronounced on human cells than on non-human cells.
5-ALA showed antiviral effect in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxicity.

Article title and author

Title

5-aminolevulinic acid inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro

Authors

Yasuaki Sakurai
Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine / Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases Joint Research Center
Myamyan Guetong
Assistant Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University
Yohei Kuroa
Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Nagasaki University
Takaya Sakura
Assistant Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University
Ken Daniel Inaoka
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University
Kiyotaka Fujine
Neopharma Japan Co., Ltd.
Kiyoshi Kita
Graduate School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University / Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine
Koichi Morita
Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University
Jiro Yasuda
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University / Infectious Diseases Joint Research Center Professor

Issued on "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications" Volume 545, 19 March 2021, Pages 203-207

* 1 Nagasaki University
Nagasaki University is a Japanese national university established in 1949. The Sakamoto Campus is home to medical faculties and research institutes (Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Tosaki University Hospital, Institute of Tropical Medicine, etc.). Due to its geographical and historical background, Nagasaki University has an outstanding results in the fields of tropical medicine / infectious diseases and radiomedical science, and has accumulated a wealth of research unrivaled in Japan in the field of infectious diseases. It has a team of researchers and is one of the leading educational and research bases for infectious diseases in Japan and overseas.
http://www.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/
* 2 Neopharma Japan Co., Ltd. Neopharma Japan Co., Ltd. is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Neopharma LLC and neo ALA Co., Ltd. (previously Cosmo ALA Co., Ltd.) was established as a joint venture. The Neopharma Group is an international pharmaceutical company headquartered in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), and develops pharmaceutical manufacturing and sales businesses mainly in emerging countries such as the Middle East. Neopharma Japan plays an important role in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing in Neopharma LLC's overseas strategy. In addition, Neopharma Japan is creating new added value for the entire group by advancing research and development of various application developments using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA).
https://www.neopharmajp.co.jp/

* 3 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)
Humans, animals, and plants maintain their vital activities by producing energy in organelles called mitochondria inside cells. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) plays a very important role in the functioning of these mitochondria. 5-ALA eventually transforms into a substance called "heme" in the mitochondria. Heme is an essential protein component for producing energy called "cytochrome". It is also a highly safe amino acid that has been used in health foods, cosmetics, pet supplements, feeds and fertilizers for over 10 years. 5-ALA is also approved in the oncology field as a drug for the purpose of visualizing brain tumors and bladder cancer. In addition, 5-ALA is known to improve mitochondrial function, and a phase 3 doctor-led clinical trial of mitochondrial disease is underway led by Saitama Medical University.
http://5ala-journal.com/

* 4 Released on October 29, 2020
Specific clinical study using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) for patients with new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) by Nagasaki University.
The Clinical Tests at Nagasaki University Hospital have been started on February 4th. https://www.neopharmajp.co.jp/library/592faa4a16088b6a0b777d96/5f9a3e02c3bfdbcd742f9140.pdf