Marine derived drugs are emerging with promises to a range of diseases including viral, bacterial, fungal, and to even some forms of cancers. One such potential active compound is Hemocyanin, and our research aims to uncover the immunological effects of consuming Abalone Hemocyanin. Hemocyanin’s immunomodulatory properties can be key to treating HSV-1 infected patients.
In this study, we cultured HaCat cells and incubated them with different concentrations of Abalone Sera containing Hemocyanin in vitro for different periods of time. It was found that 20% sera concentration and 16 hour incubation period were optimum conditions. Six different cytokine level changes in the cell culture supernatant post incubation were determined using BD Cytometric Bead Array and analyzing with Flow Cytometer.

Results show a 50% reduction in IL-6, 21% reduction in IL-8 and an increase in TNF concentration were observed after 16 hr inbucation with HaCat Cells with 20% Sera Concentration. Other cytokine levels were unaltered.

This not only supports the immunomodulatory potential of Abalone Sera but also supports its potential to be effective on HSV-1 patients since literature suggests, particularly IL-6, IL-8 and TNF modulation are key to HSV-1 infection.