Compositions and methods of treating viral infections

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of nutraceuticals, and in particular to nutraceuticals comprising sulfated polysaccharides, Astragalus polysaccharides, resveratrol, and combinations thereof. These compositions find use in inducing physiological responses such, decreasing body fat, increasing lean body mass, alleviating the symptoms of colds, preventing the onset of colds, increasing energy, increasing the feeling of well-being in subjects, and improving skin tone and appearance.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of inducing a physiological effect selected from the group consisting of alleviation of the symptoms of viral induced obesity, preventing viral induced obesity increasing lean body mass, decreasing body fat, increasing energy, increasing the feeling of well-being, alleviation of cold symptoms, and improving the skin tone, roughness and appearance in a subject comprising:
 providing a composition comprising effective amounts of a sulfated polysaccharide and a sialic acid,   and orally administering said composition to said patient under conditions such that said physiological effect is induced.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said symptom is obesity. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration of said composition induces weight reduction in a subject. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration of said composition increases the lean body mass of said subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration of said composition reduces cellulite in said subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration of said composition improves a skin parameter selected from the group consisting of improved skin tone, improved skin tightness in said subject and improved skin roughness. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administration of said composition reduces body fat in said subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a dietary supplement. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a nutritional supplement. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is provided in a food or a drink. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sulfated polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of fucan, chondroitin sulfate, heparin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, dextran sulfate, and keratin sulfate 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said fucan is a fucoidan. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said fucoidan is marine brown algae. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said fucoidan is administered in a daily dosage of from 3 to 5 grams. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sialic acid is selected from the group consisting of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA), n-glycolylneraminic acid (NGNA), and 2-keto-3-deoxynonic acid (KDN). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said sialic is administered in a daily dosage of from 0.1 g to 10.0 grams. 
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising an effective amount of a sulfated polysaccharide and a sialic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said composition is formulated for oral delivery. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said composition is formulated for topical delivery.