alpha-cyclodextrin and 3-4-dihydroxyphenylethanol

Face masks help contain the aerosol-mediated transmission of infectious viral particles released from individuals via cough and sneezes. However, the prolonged use of face masks has raised concerns regarding oral hygiene. Here, we present a mouthwash formulation based on α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol that can maintain healthy oral microbiota.. We isolated and cultured Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and a mix of Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Neisseria sp. from oral and throat swabs. The microorganisms were cultured in a standard medium with or without the mouthwash. To evaluate the effect of the mouthwash on the oral microbiota, the DNA from the saliva of 3 volunteers that used the mouthwash was extracted. Then, the DNA was amplified using primer pairs specific for bacterial and fungal DNA. Twelve further volunteers were offered to use the mouthwash and a questionnaire was submitted to them to assess the possible beneficial effects of mouthwash on halitosis and other oral disturbances.. The bacteria and fungi cultured in media containing the mouthwash showed a growth reduction ranging from 20 to 80%. The PCR amplification of fungal and bacterial DNA extracted from volunteers that used the mouthwash showed a reduction of both bacteria and fungi. Volunteers that used the mouthwash reported a tendency towards a reduction of halitosis, gingival and mouth inflammation, and dry mouth.. The use of a mouthwash containing α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol is not aggressive against oral mucosa; it is safe and effective to reduce the bacterial and fungal load due to the continuous use of face masks.

Topics: alpha-Cyclodextrins; Candida albicans; Halitosis; Humans; Masks; Mouth Mucosa; Mouthwashes; Neisseria; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Staphylococcus aureus; Time Factors

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus responsible for the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus attacks cells of the airway epithelium by binding transmembrane angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Hydroxytyrosol has anti-viral properties. Alpha-cyclodextrin can deplete sphingolipids and phospholipids from cell membranes. The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol in improving defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection in in vitro cell models and humans.. For in vitro experiments on Vero E6 cells, RNA for RT-qPCR analysis was extracted from Caco2 and human fibroblast cell lines. For study in humans, the treatment group consisted of 149 healthy volunteers in Northern Cyprus, considered at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population. The volunteers used nasal spray containing α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol for 4 weeks. The control group consisted of 76 healthy volunteers who did not use the spray.. RT-qPCR experiments on targeted genes involved in endocytosis showed a reduction in gene expression, whereas cytotoxicity and cytoprotective tests showed that the compounds exerted a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection at non-cytotoxic concentrations. None of the volunteers became positive to SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR assay during the 30 days of treatment.. Treatment with α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol nasal spray improved defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced synthesis of viral particles.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Adult; Aged; alpha-Cyclodextrins; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; COVID-19; Female; Gene Expression; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Virus Internalization; Young Adult

The aim of the study was to show the effect that two naturally occurring compounds, a cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol, can have on the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells.. The PubMed database was searched to retrieve studies published from 2000 to 2020, satisfying the inclusion criteria. The search keywords were: SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, lipid raft, endocytosis, hydroxytyrosol, cyclodextrin. Modeling of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol were done using UCSF Chimera 1.14.. The search results indicated that cyclodextrins can reduce the efficiency of viral endocytosis and that hydroxytyrosol has antiviral properties. Bioinformatic docking studies showed that alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol, alone or in combination, interact with the viral spike protein and its host cell receptor ACE2, thereby potentially influencing the endocytosis process.. Hydroxytyrosol and alpha-cyclodextrin can be useful against the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Topics: alpha-Cyclodextrins; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Binding Sites; Computational Biology; COVID-19; Humans; Membrane Microdomains; Molecular Docking Simulation; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Protein Binding; SARS-CoV-2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Virus Internalization

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current pandemics of coronavirus disease. This virus is able to attack the cells of the airway epithelium by binding to the transmembrane angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We developed an oral spray that could inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 endocytosis. The spray contains hydroxytyrosol for its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and α-cyclodextrin for its ability to deplete sphingolipids, that form the lipid rafts where ACE2 localizes. The aim of the present pilot multi-centric open non-controlled observational study was to evaluate the safety profile of the "Endovir Stop" spray.. An MTT test was performed to evaluate cytotoxicity of the spray in two human cell lines. An oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay was performed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the spray. The spray was also tested on 87 healthy subjects on a voluntary basis.. The MTT test revealed that the spray is not cytotoxic. The ORAC assay showed a good antioxidant capacity for the spray. Endovir Stop tested on healthy volunteers showed the total absence of side effects and drug interactions during the treatment.. We demonstrated that Endovir Stop spray is safe. The next step would be the administration of the efficacy of the spray by testing it to a wider range of people and see whether there is a reduced infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in the treated subjects than in the non-treated individuals.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Cyclodextrins; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; Caco-2 Cells; Cell Culture Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Endocytosis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Sprays; Pandemics; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Pilot Projects; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current pandemics. This virus attacks the cells by binding to the transmembrane angiotensin I converting enzyme 2. In this study, we experimented a food supplement containing alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol for the improvement of the defenses against the SARS-CoV-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. The aim of the present preliminary open non-controlled interventional study was to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol in improving defenses against SARS-CoV-2.. 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. The in silico prediction was performed using D3DOCKING to evaluate the interactions of hydroxytyrosol and alpha-cyclodextrin with proteins involved in the SARS-CoV-2 endocytosis.. 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. In addition, we identified possible interactions among hydroxytyrosol and alpha-cyclodextrin with the protein Spike and the human proteins ACE2 and TMPRSS2.. We reported on the results of the possible role of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol in improving defenses against SARS-CoV-2. The next step will be the administration of the compound to a larger cohort in a controlled study to confirm the reduction of the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in the treated subjects.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Cyclodextrins; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Cyprus; Endocytosis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Sprays; Pandemics; Phenylethyl Alcohol; Pilot Projects; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Viral Load