Combining weak acids and fasting could be a viable strategy against infections by Ebola-like viruses

Abstract

Ebola-like viruses could depend on chloride or HCl to deliver lethal assault on human cells, causing hemorrhaging, bleeding, diarrhea, etc. It may harbor stressful peptides which can be generated in vivo after infections. Fasting with boiled rice water or with orange juice for a few days can halt virion production. However, infection-triggered cell lysis can produce nutrients for viral proliferation. The adoption of weak organic acids such as acetic acid or lactic acid for smearing skin or soaking feet can neutralize chloride or HCl after absorption, and raise cellular pH to minimize cell lysis. Integration of fasting/fruit juice intake and weak acids might reduce mortality rates of Ebola-like virus infections. The intake of NaCl should be minimized as it can give rise to chloride or HCl in cell microenvironment. Many food ingredients such as vinegar and sauce contain salt. Clinical trials must be conducted before the regimen is available for use.

Extremely lethal viruses share sequence features

“…The ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein A238L of African swine fever virus harbors high leucine/phenylalanine content as well as high percentage of basic amino acids (Figure 1A), which resembles cationic antimicrobial peptides and also shares this feature with the virulence protein VP24 of Ebola virus (Figure 1B). [3][4] This characteristics can lead to cell lysis conditionally or non-conditionally. 2 A238L, P72, P54 and VP73 of African swine fever virus also boast relatively high valine plus glycine content similar to virulence protein transmembrane glycoprotein G of Rabies virus (Figure 1C) .…”

“…[13][14] Fasting integrated with weak organic acids can be favorable for infections triggered by Ebola-like viruses. 4 Historically, fasting was documented in classic Chinese and English literature to cope with epidemics, such as fasting described in A DREAM OF RED MANSIONS and "Starving the fever". To curb viral loads, RNAi remedy targeting Rabies virus can be designed to limit viral reproduction, and RNAi regimen targeting human pathways of oxalate production is also beneficial to minimize oxalate biogenesis.…”