Effect of mineral nanoparticles obtained from thermal spring water on COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presently a life-threatening condition, and despite of multiple attempts, no functional method has been introduced against this pandemic problem yet. In this study, for the first time, the possible antiviral aspects of mineral nanoparticles (MNPs) obtained from a natural source, thermal spring water, were evaluated. Methods: At first, MNPs obtained from the Gishki thermal spring, Kerman province, Iran, were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Then, the presence of mineral elements in MNPs was identified by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and MTT assay. Finally, 17 cases suspected of COVID-19 were randomly selected, and their nasal swab samples were exposed to two concentrations of MNPs (50 and 100 u/mL). Results: The results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test manifested that MNPs had a destructive effect on 4 (33%) COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Therefore, MNPs of thermal spring water may act as an obstacle against COVID-19.