Frontiers in Virology (Dec 2021)

Iota-Carrageenan Prevents the Replication of SARS-CoV-2 in a Human Respiratory Epithelium Cell Line in vitro

  • Augusto Varese,
  • Ana Paletta,
  • Ana Ceballos,
  • Carlos Adolfo Palacios,
  • Juan Manuel Figueroa,
  • Andrea Vanesa Dugour

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fviro.2021.746824
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1

Abstract

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Iota-carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, which, formulated into a nasal spray, has already been proven safe and effective in viral upper respiratory infections. In Calu-3, a human respiratory epithelium cell line, we explored the activity of a formula of iota-carrageenan and sodium chloride against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, the assayed formula, already approved as a nasal spray for human use, effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing a more substantial reference for clinical studies or developments.

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