The Saliva of Probands Sucking an Iota-Carrageenan Containing Lozenge Inhibits Viral Binding and Replication of the Most Predominant Common Cold Viruses and SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether sucking of an iota-carrageenan containing lozenge releases sufficient iota-carrageenan into the saliva of healthy subjects to neutralize representatives of the most common respiratory virus families causing common cold and SARS-CoV-2. Patients and Methods: In this monocentric, open label, prospective clinical trial, 31 healthy subjects were included to suck a commercially available iota-carrageenan containing lozenge. Saliva samples from 27 subjects were used for ex vivo efficacy analysis. The study's primary objective was to assess if the mean iota-carrageenan concentration of the saliva samples exceeded 5 µg/mL, which is the concentration known to reduce replication of human rhinovirus (hRV) 1a and 8 by 90%. The iota-carrageenan concentration of the saliva samples was analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The antiviral effectiveness of the individual saliva samples was determined in vitro against a panel of respiratory viruses including hRV1a, hRV8, human coronavirus OC43, influenza virus A H1N1pdm09, coxsackievirus A10, parainfluenza virus 3 and SARS-CoV-2 using standard virological assays. Results: The mean iota-carrageenan concentration detected in the saliva exceeds the concentration needed to inhibit 90% of hRV1a and hRV8 replication by 134-fold (95% CI 116.3-160.8-fold; p < 0.001). Thus, the study met the primary endpoint. Furthermore, the iota-carrageenan saliva concentration was 60 to 30,351-fold higher than needed to reduce viral replication/binding of all tested viruses by at least 90% (p < 0.001). The effect was most pronounced in hCoV OC43; in case of SARS-CoV-2, the IC 90 was exceeded by 121-fold (p < 0.001). Conclusion:Sucking an iota-carrageenan containing lozenge releases sufficient iota-carrageenan to neutralize and inactivate the most abundant respiratory viruses as well as pandemic SARS-CoV-2. The lozenges are therefore an appropriate measure to reduce the viral load at the site of infection, hereby presumably limiting transmission within a population as well as translocation to the lower respiratory tract. Trial Registration: NCT04533906.

Iota-Carrageenan Inhibits Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and the Respective Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta

“…They further conclude that carrageenan may also inhibit the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, an assumption that was confirmed by a recent clinical study showing that an iota-carrageenan containing nasal spray give significant protection when used as COVID-19 prophylaxis in health care workers managing patients with COVID-19 disease [46]. Furthermore, another recently published clinical study underlined this assumption as it demonstrated that sucking iota-carrageenan containing Lozenges inhibit viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo [61]. Moreover, there are regional different recommendations for the use of iota-carrageenan in prevention of COVID-19, as for example by the German Society of Hospital Hygiene and by Austrian society [62,63].…”

“…Carrageenans not only have antiviral properties but also exert antitumor, immunomodulatory and coagulative activities, respectively [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]. In this context, it was published that kappa-and lambda-carrageenans exhibit both anticancer and immunostimulatory effects [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70].…”

“…Carrageenans not only have antiviral properties but also exert antitumor, immunomodulatory and coagulative activities, respectively [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]. In this context, it was published that kappa-and lambda-carrageenans exhibit both anticancer and immunostimulatory effects [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70]. In contrast, such immunomodulating and antitumoral effects have not been described yet for iota-carrageenan, supporting a broad application as an otherwise biologically inert substance.…”

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 interaction increases carbohydrate sulfotransferases and reduces N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase by p38 MAPK

“… 49 – 51 Treatment with the sulfated polysaccharides appears to provide a barrier to impair viral uptake and thereby reduce intracellular viral proliferation. 52 Interestingly, in 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice exposed to oral carrageenan in their diet for 60 d, lung tissue showed significant increases in phospho-p38 MAPK (Fig. 4g ), and in CHST15 and CHST11 mRNA (Fig.…”

Advances in Research on Antiviral Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Seaweeds

“…In addition, different forms of administration of ι-carrageenan can play a significant role in its antiviral activity. Morokutti et al found that ι-carrageenan in lozenge form significantly reduced the amount of SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva, thus limiting interpersonal viral transmission and the transfer of the virus to the lower respiratory tract [ 61 ]. In addition, ι-carrageenan can be given directly to infected patients to treat COVID-19 with ivermectin via nasal spray and oral antivirals.…”