Italian researchers developed an oral spray (Endovir Stop) containing alpha-cyclodextrin (0.2%) and hydroxytyrosol (3.8%) for the improvement of the defenses against the SARS-CoV-2 (1,2). Hydroxytyrosol has anti-viral properties and is able to reduce the serum lipids in mice. α-cyclodextrin has the ability to deplete sphingolipids and phospholipids from the cellular membranes.
Fifty healthy volunteers at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection from Northern Cyprus and six positive individuals for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in this study. All subjects used the spray four times (4 puffs per dose) a day for 15 days with a total absence of side effects. Any specific side effects were not expected as alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol are considered novel foods. The 50 volunteers did not become positive in 15 days for SARS-CoV-2 after the administration of the compound for two weeks, despite they were at higher risk of infection than the general population. Interestingly, in the cohort of six positive patients, two patients were administered the spray and became negative after five days, despite the viral load was higher in the treated subjects than the untreated patients who became negative after ten days.
- Paolacci S, Ceccarini MR, Codini M, Manara E, Tezzele S, Percio M, Capodicasa N, Kroni D, Dundar M, Ergoren MC, Sanlidag T, Beccari T, Farronato M, Farronato G, Tartaglia GM, Bertelli M. Pilot study for the evaluation of safety profile of a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 endocytosis. Acta Biomed. 2020 Nov 9;91(13-S):e2020009. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i13-S.10583.
- 2. Ergoren MC, Paolacci S, Manara E, Dautaj A, Dhuli K, Anpilogov K, Camilleri G, Suer HK, Sayan M, Tuncel G, Sultanoglu N, Farronato M, Tartaglia GM, Dundar M, Farronato G, Gunsel IS, Bertelli M, Sanlidag T. A pilot study on the preventative potential of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol against SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Acta Biomed. 2020 Nov 9;91(13-S):e2020022. doi: 10.23750/abm.v91i13-S.10817
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