New research suggests a over-the-counter nasal spray is effective at significant reduction and near elimination of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 after a single dose.
An in vitro study conducted by scientists at Northwestern University and Utah State University concluded that the components found in Xlear nasal spray, especially grapefruit seed extract and xylitol, were successful in statistically reducing the amount of SARS-CoV- 2.
After a single explosion, the researchers saw that the nasal spray reduced the virus from 4.2 to 1.7 log10 CCID50 to 0.1 ml, a statistically significant reduction of 2.5 log10 CCID50. The news of the study was announced by Xlear and the company said that this is only the latest research that concludes that the over-the-counter spray is effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
Xlear is currently sold as a nasal irrigant for cleansing and hydrating the nasal cavities.
Professor Mark Cannon of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University said the study opens ground in two areas. Cannon said that using electron microscopy, the researchers saw visual evidence that the combination of xylitol and grape seed extract fights the virus. Grape seed extract kills the virus, while xylitol prevents the virus from attaching to cell walls, Cannon said in the announcement. The study postulates that xylitol acts as a bait target for SARS-CoV-2, preventing the virus from attaching to the core protein on the cell wall, he said.
“In addition to fighting SARS-CoV-2, Xlear is likely to be effective in preventing the spread of future H1N1 viruses, including emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, along with other viral epidemics. Given the more transmissible options we face now, this is critical now, “Cannon said in a statement.
This in vitro evidence will no doubt be used to support a new one petition in front of the World Health Organization. This week, a coalition of health professionals called on the World Health Organization to issue guidelines calling for “all people to use nasal sprays to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.” The petition, supported by Xlear, claims that these nasal sprays are able to block viral adhesion and even kill or deactivate the virus in the nasal passages. The petition specifically calls for the WHO Guide to focus on the use of nasal sprays containing Xilitol and grapefruit seed extract, which is found in Xlear.
“Nasal sprays have proven to be safe, cheap, non-invasive, easy to use and you can get them off the shelf at your local store around the world. There is a growing body of data that, in particular Xlear, can help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes good sense, “said Nathan Jones, Xlear’s chief executive, in a statement.
In December, Xlear applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization in hopes of obtaining spray authorization as a new hygiene tool to help fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Xlear is not the only nasal spray that promises to provide another level of protection against COVID-19, which has infected nearly 100 million people worldwide and killed more than 2 million people. Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK have developed a nasal spray that can provide protection against COVID-19. Spray use compounds that are already approved by regulators in the UK, Europe and the US, including carrageenan, together with a gelatinous polysaccharide.
Another nasal spray that uses a lipopeptide, a cholesterol particle linked to an amino acid chain, has also shown promise in preclinical tests. As BioSpace reported earlier, the lipopeptide exactly matches the extent of amino acids in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Lipopeptide attaches to one of the amino acid chains of the tip and prevents viral attachment.
The most read today