Metadichol®: A Novel Nanolipid Formulation That Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and a Multitude of Pathological Viruses In Vitro

Abstract

Increasing outbreaks of new pathogenic viruses have promoted the exploration of novel alternatives to time-consuming vaccines. Thus, it is necessary to develop a universal approach to halt the spread of new and unknown viruses as they are discovered. One such promising approach is to target lipid membranes, which are common to all viruses and bacteria. The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of interactions between the virus envelope and the host cell plasma membrane as a critical mechanism of infection. Metadichol®, a nanolipid emulsion of long-chain alcohols, has been demonstrated as a strong candidate that inhibits the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. Naturally derived substances, such as long-chain saturated lipid alcohols, reduce viral infectivity, including that of coronaviruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) by modifying their lipid-dependent attachment mechanism to human host cells. The receptor ACE2 mediates the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells, whereas the serine protease TMPRSS2 primes the viral S protein. In this study, Metadichol® was found to be 270 times more potent an inhibitor of TMPRSS2 ( E C 50 = 96 ng / mL ) than camostat mesylate ( E C 50 = 26000 ng / mL ). Additionally, it inhibits ACE with an EC50 of 71 ng/mL, but it is a very weak inhibitor of ACE2 at an EC50 of 31 μg/mL. Furthermore, the live viral assay performed in Caco-2 cells revealed that Metadichol® inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication at an EC90 of 0.16 μg/mL. Moreover, Metadichol® had an EC90 of 0.00037 μM, making it 2081 and 3371 times more potent than remdesivir ( E C 50 = 0.77 μ M ) and chloroquine ( E C 50 = 1.14 μ M ), respectively.

Metadichol® induced expression of circadian clock transcription factors in human fibroblasts

“…Additionally, Metadichol has been found to modulate the expression of genes involved in viral infections (60) and inhibit the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells, indicating its potential role in antiviral responses. Moreover, the ability of metadichol to induce the expression of critical transcription factors such as Yamanaka factors (61) in various cell types holds promise for its application in stem cell therapy and reprogramming of somatic cells.…”

Antiaging Strategies and Remedies: A Landscape of Research Progress and Promise

“…Another telomerase activator, metadichol (CAS RN 1627854-29-8), has been used to defeat organ failure by enriching cells with telomerase. 336 Another study reported that natural formulations including Centella asiatica extract (08AGTLF) comprising >95% triterpenes, Astragalus extract, TA-65, oleanolic acid (CAS RN 508-02-1), maslinic acid (CAS RN 4373-41-5), and certain multinutrient formulations trigger significant increase in telomerase activity. 337 4.4.…”

“…Preliminary experimental data suggested that TA-65 (cycloastragenol, CAS RN 78574-94-4), an extract of Astragalus membranaceus roots, can perform as a telomerase activator, but so far no sound clinical data have been reported. Another telomerase activator, metadichol (CAS RN 1627854-29-8), has been used to defeat organ failure by enriching cells with telomerase . Another study reported that natural formulations including Centella asiatica extract (08AGTLF) comprising >95% triterpenes, Astragalus extract, TA-65, oleanolic acid (CAS RN 508-02-1), maslinic acid (CAS RN 4373-41-5), and certain multinutrient formulations trigger significant increase in telomerase activity …”

Therapeutic Antiaging Strategies

“…Evidence has suggested that the reactivation of telomerase expression by using a gene therapy approach is the best example of the lifespan extension of mice and delay aging without cancer occurrence [ 73 ]. A recent study has found that Metadichol, a telomerase activator, is used to overcome organ failure by enriching cells with telomerase and is a safer alternative [ 74 ]. Another study explained that natural compounds such as 08AGTLF (Centella asiatica), Nutrient 4 ( Astragalus ), TA-65 ( Astragalus membranaceus ), OA (oleanolic acid), and MA (maslinic acid); and Nutrients 1, 2, and 3 have telomerase activation, and among all, 08AGTLF has the greatest potential to activate telomerase [ 75 ].…”