Extract of microalgae Euglena
Confirmed that it contributes to the suppression of influenza virus growth
Possibility to activate the defense mechanism of cells and support a healthy body from the root

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) is a microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena, hereafter) in collaboration with Professor Yuji Isegawa of Mukogawa Women's University. "Euglena") It was confirmed that powdered hot water extract * 1 contributes to the suppression of growth of various influenza viruses including drug-resistant types, and host cells (cells to be infected). We are pleased to inform you that it may have activated the defense mechanism of. The results of this research were announced at the "59th Annual Meeting of the Kinki Branch of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science" * 2 held on November 14, 2020.​
* 1 Euglena An extract of powder extracted with hot water at 95 ° C over 2 hours. It is considered to be a water-soluble component of Euglena (a component other than paramylon, which is a functional component peculiar to Euglena) when ingested into the body.
* 2 The 59th Annual Meeting of the Kinki Branch of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science was held in an online presentation format using a web page to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

■ Purpose of research
　 We believe that it is important to achieve sustainable health by maintaining the foundation of health and improving it to a better state. The Company, "malnutrition" as a complex factors that interfere with the foundation of health "mental and physical fatigue" has been paying attention to the mutual relationship of "reduced immunity", Euglena with the body the original through the ingestion of "· work · Protect make" We are conducting research on the possibility of achieving sustainable health without relying solely on symptomatic treatment.
　Regarding the influenza virus infection symptom, which is one of the phenomena affected by "immunity weakening", we mainly take the action of paramilon, which is a functional component peculiar to Euglena, by ingesting Euglena. The possibility of alleviating symptoms by promoting the production of immunotransmitters * 3 and 4 is reported in the news releases dated February 9, 2015 and November 1, 2017. Influenza virus is known as a virus that causes respiratory infections, and vaccines and several anti-influenza drugs have been developed, but there are problems such as the emergence of new viruses and side effects, and further measures are required. I have. This time, we investigated the direct effect of Euglena on influenza virus infection to help elucidate the mechanism by which influenza virus infection symptoms are alleviated.
* 3 Released on February 9, 2015 https://www.euglena.jp/news/n20150209/
* 4 Released on November 1, 2017https://www.euglena.jp/news/20171101-2/

■ Research content and results
　 Infected canine kidney cells with influenza virus and cultured in a medium containing and without a Euglena powder (hereinafter referred to as "Euglena As a result, the Euglena hot water extract suppressed the growth of various types of influenza viruses, including influenza viruses that are resistant to drugs such as the influenza drug oseltamivir (Fig. 1).

　We also conducted an experiment to confirm at which stage the influenza virus growth was suppressed * 5 (Fig. 2).​
* 5 Generally, viruses are adsorbed on the cell membrane, taken up, and then release RNA from virus particles in the cytoplasm. The released RNA translocates into the nucleus, replicates and transcribes, and synthesizes viral proteins and viral genomes. Then, when the constituent materials of the virus are prepared, they aggregate near the cell membrane and are released from the cell membrane. This one cycle is known to be 8 hours for influenza virus

　Euglena hot water extract is defined as the virus adsorption time, one cycle (8 hours) required for virus growth, and one cycle divided into two (0-4 hours, 4-8 hours). The activity of influenza virus at the time was measured. As a result, Euglena hot water extract significantly suppressed the growth of influenza virus at the time of adsorption, suggesting that the defense mechanism of host cells (infected cells) may be activated. (Fig. 3).

　From this study, Euglena hot water extract, i.e. ingested into the body Euglena potentially water-soluble components of, and inhibit the growth of influenza virus in a different mechanism than existing antiviral drugs, as well as influenza virus It may be activating the defense mechanism of the host cell (infected cell) instead of acting directly on the virus, and it is effective in alleviating the symptoms of influenza virus infection, including not only paramilone but also the water-soluble component of Euglena It was shown that it may be demonstrating.

　In these days when various health concerns are coming, we will further elucidate the possibility of Euglena that supports the cycle of "making, working, and protecting" that the body originally has, and in the field of health foods and medical fields of Euglena We will carry out research and development with the aim of utilizing it and increasing its added value as a foodstuff.

<About Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena)>
Ishigakijima Euglena is a type of algae similar to wakame seaweed, kelp, and chlorella. It has the characteristics of both animals and plants, and has a well-balanced balance of 59 types of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. Includes. Paramylon, which is a component unique to Euglena and is a type of β-glucan, has been studied for its functionality in recent years and is expected to be used in the healthcare field such as foods and cosmetics.

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-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division