Abstract:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiviral properties of clinoptilolite zeolite, a natural non-toxic zeolite. Herein, a fine powder of micronized zeolite (MZ) was obtained by mechanical micronization of natural clinoptilolite. Different viral suspensions were treated with MZ in concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 mg/ml. The viral proliferation was evaluated by optical microscope as percentage of cytopathic effect (CPE). Foot and mouth disease virus (FMD) types O panAsia, A and SAT2 and Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus were used in the antiviral assay. With concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/ml of MZ little or no antiviral effect was observed at all, while concentrations of 30 to 50 mg/ml of MZ induced a significant inhibitory effect upon viral proliferation. The antiviral effect of MZ seems to be non-specific and is more likely based on the incorporation of viral particles into pores of MZ aggregates than ion exchange properties of clinoptilolite. Our results indicate a possibility of therapeutic application of MZ, either locally (skin) and could also be used in purification of drinking water from different viruses.