First evidence from human study: Nasal spray containing Carragelose may be able to protect against COVID-19
17.03.2021 10:32
Nasal sprays containing Carragelose may be able to provide significant protection against COVID-19, as shown by preliminary results of an independent, investigator-initiated clinical study with hospital staff [1,2]. These results are supported by currently published data on the antiviral effectiveness of Carragelose against SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory studies (in vitro) [3]. Against this background, the algovir cold spray containing Carragelose could be recommended as a support for general protective measures - also for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children aged one year and over.
For the first time, the preventive potential of nasal sprays with Carragelose against COVID-19 was examined in a controlled clinical setting [2]. This step follows a series of in vitro studies in which it was shown that Carragelose can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 or inhibit its proliferation in cell cultures to below the detection limit [3,4].
The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled CARR-COV-02 study (NCT04521322) involved 394 medical staff subjects from ten Argentine hospitals who were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients [1,2]. Within 21 days, hospital staff were treated with either Carragelose nasal spray (n = 199) or placebo (n = 195) four times daily. The result: Significantly fewer participants in the verum group developed COVID-19 than in the placebo group (1.0 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively; relative risk reduction of illness of 80.4 percent). The risk reduction by using the nasal spray has a 95 percent probability in the range between 25 and 95 percent (95 percent CI = 25-95 percent). The nasal spray was safe and well tolerated. The side effects identified, such as runny nose after use, were observed with similar frequency in both groups (2.0 percent) and were classified as minor.
Further clinical studies on the effectiveness and tolerability of Carragelose nasal spray in connection with SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are in preparation or already in the recruiting phase (NCT04590365 and NCT04681001) [5,6].
About algovir
algovir, the cold spray for use in the nose, contains carragelose, a natural active ingredient obtained from red algae. Carragelose forms a protective film as a physical barrier on the cells of the nasal mucosa. This prevents a large number of cold viruses from attaching to the cells of the mucous membrane. This reduces the multiplication and spread of cold viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Previous clinical trials (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled) in cold patients showed that algovir can shorten the duration of illness and reduce the risk of relapse [7,8,9]. Now, with the previously published results of the Argentine human study, there is strong evidence that Carragelose also has the potential to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection [1,2]. A number of in vitro studies support this evidence, ultimately showing that carragelose can neutralize the COVID-19 pathogen or inhibit its replication in cell cultures to below the detection limit [3,4].
Literature:
[1] ICT MILSTEIN, CONICET-Fundación Pablo Cassará. The effectiveness of the nasal spray with carragenina for the prevention of COVID-19 has resulted in positive results – Informe preliminary CARR, February 18, 2021. Buenos Aires, Argentina: ICT MILSTEIN. Retrieved on: February 22, 2021. https://milstein.conicet.gov.ar/la-eficacia-del-spray-nasal-con-carragenina-para-la-prevencion-del-covid-19-ha-dado-resultados-positivos/.
[2] NIH ClinicalTrials.gov. Efficacy of a Nasal Spray Containing Iota-Carrageenan in the Prophylaxis of COVID-19 Disease in Health Personnel Dedicated to Patients Care With COVID-19 Disease (CARR-COV-02), ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04521322. Last accessed: February 23, 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov – NCT04521322.
[3] Morokutti-Kurz M, Fröba M, Graf P, Große M, Grassauer A, et al. Iota-carrageenan neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and inhibits viral replication in vitro. PLOS ONE 2021;16(2):e0237480. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0237480.
[4] Bansal S, Jonsson CB, Taylor SL et al. Iota-carrageenan and xylitol inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture. bioRxiv preprint 2020, doi: DOI 10.1101/2020.08.19.225854.
[5] NIH ClinicalTrials.gov. Iota-carrageenan Nasal Spray COVID-19 Prophylaxis for Healthcare Professionals (ICE-COVID), ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04590365. Last accessed: February 23, 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov – NCT04590365.
[6] NIH ClinicalTrials.gov. Prophylactic Treatment With Carragelose Nasal Spary to Prevent SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Infections in Health Care Workers, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04681001. Last accessed: February 23, 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov – NCT04681001.
[7] Fazekas T, Eickhoff P, Pruckner N et al. Lessons learned from a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study with an iota-carrageenan nasal spray as medical device in children with acute symptoms of common cold. BMC Complement Altern Med 2012;12:147. DOI 10.1186/1472-6882-12-147.
[8] Ludwig M, Enzenhofer E, Schneider S, Rauch M, Bodenteich A, Neumann K, Prieschl-Grassauer E, Grassauer A, Lion T, Mueller CA. Efficacy of a carrageenan nasal spray in patients with common cold: a randomized controlled trial. Respir Res. 2013;14(1):124. DOI 10.1186/1465-9921-14-124.
[9] Eccles R, Meier C, Jawad M, Weinmüllner R, Grassauer A, Prieschl-Grassauer E. Efficacy and safety of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold. Respir Res. 2010;11(1):108. DOI 10.1186/1465-9921-11-108.