Related studies have found that sialic acid plays an important role in the release
of newly replicated virus particles from infected host cells. Sialic acid can
preferentially specifically bind to the influenza virus surface protein
hemagglutinin (HA), thereby effectively preventing the spread of influenza virus in
the human body. Therefore, the development of influenza virus inhibitors based on
sialic acid has become a hot research.
Currently, two neuraminidase inhibitor drugs have been approved for marketing,
namely Zanamivir (trade name: Relenza®) and Oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu®).
Among them, Relenza® was approved in 1999, and the original research was Biota
Holdings Limited, which can treat influenza caused by infection with avian influenza
virus. The original research of Tamiflu® was Gilead Sciences (later authorized
related patents to Roche), which can inhibit the spread of influenza A and B viruses
in the human body to treat influenza.
Biological functions of sialic acid such as anti-tumor, anti-virus, and promoting
the development of the brain nervous system. In addition to treating influenza,
sialic acid also plays a role in the treatment and auxiliary diagnosis of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and
tumors. Therefore, using sialic acid as a raw material to develop a series of
anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, and treatment of senile dementia drugs is
a very potential research direction. Sialic acid has a high content in the human
brain, which is related to the growth of nerve cells. Sialic acid on the cell
surface protects cells and macromolecules from attack by enzymes and the immune
system. However, the content of sialic acid in the brain or blood of the elderly
with dementia decreased, and after drug treatment, the content of sialic acid
returned to normal, thus indicating that sialic acid participates in neural
activities.
Anti-virus improves human immunity
① Sialic acid and its derivatives are important in inhibiting sialidase and
anti-influenza virus, anti-rotavirus, anti-adenovirus, anti-respiratory syncytial
virus, anti-parainfluenza virus and so on.
② Sialic acid will not be degraded by digestive enzymes in the digestive system,
and can enter the intestinal tract to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from
adsorbing on intestinal cells, and play a role in resisting various pathogenic
bacteria.
③ Free sialic acid in body fluids can prevent the adsorption of cold viruses on
the cell surface.
④ Sialic acid has a strong negative charge, and some vitamins and minerals in food
are positively charged. At the same time, sialic acid polypeptide substances have
the effect of antibacterial and detoxification, can inhibit bacteria and anti-virus,
inhibit white blood cell adhesion and anti-inflammation.