In vitro determination of inhibitory effects by humic substances complexing Zn and Se on SARS-CoV-2 virus replication

Hajdrik, Polett; Pályi, Bernadett; Kis, Zoltán; Kovács, Noémi; Veres, Daniel S.; Szigeti, Krisztián; Hegedűs, Imre; Kovács, Tibor; Bergmann, Ralf; Máthé, Domokos

Humic substances are well known human nutritional supplement materials and play important performance-enhancing roles as animal feed additives, too. For decades, ingredients of humic substances have also been proven to carry potent antiviral effects against different viruses. Here, the antiviral activity of a humic substance containing ascorbic acid, Se- and Zn2+ ions intended as a nutritional supplement material was investigated against SARS-CoV-2 virus B1.1.7 Variant of Concern (“Alpha Variant”) in a VeroE6 cell line. Results show that this combination has a significant in vitro antiviral effect at a very low concentration range of its intended active ingredients. Even picomolar concentration ranges of humic substances, vitamin C and Zn/Se ions in the given composition were enough to achieve fifty percent viral replication inhibition in the applied SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibition test.