Monolaurin and Enveloped RNA and DNA Viruses
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Enveloped
Viruses
What is an Enveloped Virus?
Viruses can be classified by their “capsid” - the protein shell of the virus, enclosing its genetic material. This capsid can be enveloped and non-enveloped (“naked”). Enveloped viruses are surrounded by a lipid membrane helps protect the DNA or RNA of the virus. Examples of these viruses include influenza, measles, hepatitis C, coronaviruses, and Herpesvirus. Unlike non-enveloped viruses, enveloped viruses have a protective lipid membrane that help their stability, resistance to chemical or physical inactivation, and ease of viral transmission. (Ref #1)
Literature Review of Monolaurin
Monolaurin, a dietary supplement from coconut, has been the subject of several laboratory studies which explore its relationship with encapsulated viruses - those viruses which have a fatty membrane around the DNA and RNA of the virus. Some studies suggest that monolaurin has the capacity to potentially dissolve the outer envelopes of these viruses laboratory settings. (Ref #3) One study which reviewed monolaurin and enveloped viruses explained:
“Although the exact mechanism is not clear, it has been suggested that the fatty acids and their monoesters are incorporated into the the lipid membrane, causing destabilization of the bylayer. A similar mechanism might lead to the complete disintegration of cell membranes and viral enveloped we observed” (Ref #3)
In another study, monolaurin was shown to be potentially destructive against 14 types of enveloped viruses (Ref #2). In this in vitro experiment, a monolaurin solution was reported to dissolve the lipids in the protective envelope surrounding the cell of the viruses. The potency of monolaurin in the study seemed to be increased when mixed with other compounds such as tert‐butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), Methylparaben, or sorbic acid. The study suggests this mixture was potent enough to show effects within the first hour (Ref #2). The study explains:
“Each of the monolaurin mixtures effected a>99.9% killing of the 14 viruses tested in the study….Our data suggest that solubilization of the lipids and phospholipids in the envelope by the monolaurin and additives is a key factor in the virucidal activity of these test substances.” (Ref #2)
In other words, the monolaurin solution used in this study was reported to kill more than 99.9% of the different viruses by dissolving the lipids in the protective envelope surrounding the cell of the viruses. This same study found results involving a strain from the coronavirus group.
“…Removing the M protein from the virus envelope resulted in loss of envelope integrity, which is essential for virus infectivity. Similar results were found for coronavirus 229E. Monolaurin inactivated 3.7 logarithmic dilutions of virus, and Lauriban-M, Lauribic-11, and Lauricidini-F inactivated 4.5, 5.4, and >5.5 logarithmic dilutions of virus, respectively….As with influenza virus, the loss of envelope integrity results in loss of infectious virus titer.” (Ref #2)
This study used purified preparations of coronavirus (avian flu and influenza virus) and found the monolaurin solutions to be potential antiviral agents in lab settings.
Read more about the characteristics of monolaurin in the Essential Guide to Monolaurin.
Monoglycerides in Human Milk and Enveloped Viruses
Monolaurin is just one example of a monoglyceride like lauric acid. Other studies have shown significant effects of monoglycerides against enveloped viruses. Fatty acids in milk have also displayed the similar antiviral properties of monoglycerides in some studies. The lipids in human milk appear to potent enough to inactivate enveloped viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus, herpes simplex virus, and visna virus (Ref #3). This is study went on to describe:
“Medium-chain saturated and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, were all highly active against the enveloped viruses... Antiviral fatty acids were found to affect the viral envelope, causing leakage and at higher concentrations, a complete disintegration of the envelope and the viral particles. They also caused disintegration of the plasma membranes of tissue culture cells resulting in cell lysis and death.” (Ref #3)
Read more about Monolaurin and human breast milk.
Research on Fatty Alcohols and Enveloped Viruses
Certain studies have already shown the anti-microbicidal properties of fatty alcohols. There are limitations, however, to the potency of fatty alcohols. They is shown to be most potent only at certain pH levels and certain concentrations. At low pH levels, they have no increased activity. Enveloped viruses are more sensitive and capable of changing their ions in their enveloped proteins. (Ref #4)
“The most active compound tested was 1-monoglyceride of capric acid, monocaprin, which also showed activity against influenza A virus and significant virucidal activities after addition to milk products and fruit juices, even at a concentration as low as 0.06-0.12%. The significant virucidal activities of fatty alcohols and lipids on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus demonstrated in this in vitro study raise the question of the feasibility of using such compounds as ingredients in pharmaceutical dosage forms against respiratory infections caused by these viruses, and possibly other paramyxo- and myxoviruses.” (Ref #4)
Monolaurin Research
Monolaurin is used today in commercial food and cosmetic production, as well as taken as a dietary supplements. Based on select studies, the compound seems to have fewer limitations when compared to fatty alcohols, which are only potent at certain conditions (Ref#4). Monolaurin can be taken as a dietary supplement and is easily available compared to human breast milk (Ref #3). Monolaurin has shown the potential in laboratory studies to inactivate some select viruses and bacteria with an efficacy of 99% (Ref #2). Its purported capabilities might go further if combined with other chemicals and compounds (Ref #2).
More researched is needed to determine monolaurin’s potential role in immune function, if any, but the early research is promising.
References:
Lucas, W. Viral Capsids and Envelopes: Structure and Function. 19 April 2010. In eLS, (Ed.). doi:10.1002/9780470015902.a0001091.pub2
Hierholzer, J. C. and kabara, j. J. (1982), In vitro effects of monolaurin compounds on enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. Journal of Food Safety, 4: 1-12. Doi:10.1111/j.1745-4565.1982.tb00429.x
H Thormar, C E Isaacs, H R Brown, M R Barshatzky and T Pessolano. Inactivation of enveloped viruses and killing of cells by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob. Agents Chemotherapy. January 1987 vol. 31 no. 1 27-31. doi: 10.1128/AAC.31.1.27
H. HilmarssonB. S. TraustasonT. KristmundsdóttirH. Thormar. Virucidal activities of medium- and long-chain fatty alcohols and lipids against respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 2: comparison at different pH levels. Archives of Virology. December 2007, Volume 152, Issue 12, pp 2225–2236
Pietila, M., Laurinavicius, S., Sund, J., Roine, E., & Bamford, D. (2009). The Single-Stranded DNA Genome of Novel Archaeal Virus Halorubrum Pleomorphic Virus 1 Is Enclosed in the Envelope Decorated with Glycoprotein Spikes Journal of Virology, 84 (2), 788-798 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01347-09