ICAR-CMFRI develops nutraceutical to boost immunity related to post-COVID complications

Kochi: In continuation of its major research workson developing natural remedies from marine organisms against various lifestylediseases, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has comeup with a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunityrelated to post-COVID complications. Named as CadalminTM Immunalgin extract (CadalminTM IMe),  the product also has antiviral properties against the delta variant of SARS CoV-2 virus.“The product is a synergistic combination ofseaweed-based nutraceutical product, which is a 100% natural blend of highlynutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’technology”, said Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, FishNutrition and Health Division of the CMFRI who led the research works todevelop the product.This marks the 10th product in a series ofnutraceuticals developed by the CMFRI deriving from marine organisms. Theinstitute, in the past, has successfully brought out nutraceuticals targeting arange of lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol,hypertension, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis and fatty liver.Bioactive pharmacophore leads from seaweeds wereused to develop the nutraceutical product. Apromising reduction of viral infection rate was observed by administeringCadalminTM IMe  onSARS CoV-2 (delta variant) induced cells. CadalminTM IMe elevates innate immune responses by theregulation of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.The CadalminTM IMe interacts with membrane-associated patternrecognition receptors to prevent the virus entry through cellular signalingpathways and also stimulate inflammatory cytokine production. Hence, it will act as a good naturally derivedalternative source for health benefits against inflammation and autoimmunedisorders, he said.The nutraceutical does not have any side effectsas established by detailed preclinical trials. It does not have toxicityconcerning clinical and behavioural symptoms. The active ingredients in theproduct would be packed in plant-based capsules. Large-scale extraction of the activeprinciples from the raw material was optimized in a factory unit, whichdemonstrated the commercial feasibility of the nutraceutical product. Theprocess for commercialisation of the product is in progress.