Curcumin spray shows promise in fighting COVID- 19, cold viruses
Aof scientists from Thailand has developed a curcumin- containing oronasal film spray, which shows potential antiviral activity and mucosal immunity- boosting activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS- COV- 2) that causes COVID- 19 and influenza { cold/ flu) viruses. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric.
The study was published in the Virology Journal.
SARS- COV- 2, the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID- 19) pandemic, is an enveloped RNA virus that primarily causes mild to severe respiratory infections. Influenza virus types A, B, and C are also RNA viruses that cause seasonal respiratory infections commonly known as flu. Infections caused by SARSCOV- 2 and influenza viruses are associated with high mortality rates. Although both viruses can affect people from all age groups, more deadly infections occur in older people and immunocompromised patients.
Bioactive compounds derived from plants have gained immense attention in the medical community because of their potent antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. Curcumin is a promising plant- derived compound that shows potential antiviral and immunomodulatory activities against SARS- COV- 2 and influenza A virus.
In this study, scientists have developed an oro- nasal film spray containing curcumin and tested its antiviral and mucosal innate immunityboosting activities against SARS- COV- 2 and influenza viruses.
Various actions of the curcumin film spray. Formulation of curcumin film spray shows various actions on prevention of COVID- 19; First, it can inhibit SARS- COV2 infection by inhibiting ACE- 2 binding. Second, the film spray upregulates the production of antimicrobial peptides LL- 37 and HD- 5 produced by oral epithelial cells, which have been previously reported to inhibit SARSCOV- 2 infection in silico. Third, the film spray induced the production of anti- inflammatory cytokines IL- 6 and TNF- produced by oral epithelial cells. In addition, the film spray inhibits influenza virus infection.