Posted on 12/14/2021 4:57:01 AM PST by null and void
A pair of over-the-counter compounds has been found in preliminary tests to inhibit the virus that causes COVID-19, University of Florida Health researchers have found.
The combination includes diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms. When paired with lactoferrin, a protein found in cow and human milk, the compounds were found to hinder the SARS-CoV-2 virus during tests in monkey cells and human lung cells.
The findings by David A. Ostrov, Ph.D., an immunologist and associate professor in the UF College of Medicine’s department of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine and his colleagues, are published in the journal Pathogens.
“We found out why certain drugs are active against the virus that causes COVID-19. Then, we found an antiviral combination that can be effective, economical, and has a long history of safety,” Ostrov said. Sigma Receptors
Molecular docking of sigma-2 receptor ligands that exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Credit: University of Florida
Due to his earlier research with colleagues at UF, Ostrov already knew diphenhydramine was potentially effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The latest discovery has its roots in a routine meeting of scientists with the Global Virus Network’s COVID-19 task force. One researcher presented unpublished data on federally approved compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity, including lactoferrin.
Like diphenhydramine, lactoferrin is available without a prescription. Ostrov thought about pairing it with diphenhydramine and ran with the idea. In lab tests on human and monkey cells, the combination was particularly potent: Individually, the two compounds each inhibited SARS-CoV-2 virus replication by about 30%. Together, they reduced virus replication by 99%.
The findings, Ostrov said, are a first step in developing a formulation that could be used to accelerate COVID-19 recovery. It also raises the prospect of further study through an academic-corporate partnership for human clinical trials focused on COVID-19 prevention. Additional research into the compounds’ effectiveness for COVID-19 prevention is already underway in mouse models.
To establish their findings, the research team focused on proteins expressed in human cells known as sigma receptors. In COVID-19 cases, the virus “hijacks” stress-response machinery, including sigma receptors, in order to replicate in the body. Interfering with that signaling appears to be the key to inhibiting the virus’s potency. “We now know the detailed mechanism of how certain drugs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection,” Ostrov said.
Data from the experiments show that a highly specific sigma receptor binding drug candidate (with pain relieving properties), and formulated combinations of over-the-counter products (such as diphenhydramine and lactoferrin) have the potential to inhibit virus infection and decrease recovery time from COVID-19, the researchers concluded.
While the findings are encouraging, Ostrov cautions against self-medicating with either diphenhydramine or lactoferrin as a COVID-19 prevention or treatment. The type of lactoferrin used in the research differs slightly from the type that is commonly available to consumers, he noted. Lactoferrin is commonly used as a supplement to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers, among other uses.
Reference: “Highly Specific Sigma Receptor Ligands Exhibit Anti-Viral Properties in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Cells” by David A. Ostrov, Andrew P. Bluhm, Danmeng Li, Juveriya Qamar Khan, Megha Rohamare, Karthic Rajamanickam, Kalpana K. Bhanumathy, Jocelyne Lew, Darryl Falzarano, Franco J. Vizeacoumar, Joyce A. Wilson, Marco Mottinelli, Siva Rama Raju Kanumuri, Abhisheak Sharma, Christopher R. McCurdy and Michael H. Norris, 20 November 2021, Pathogens. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111514
Scientists from UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, College of Pharmacy and Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency collaborated on the research.
Only if married to a Republican
I’m allergic to mill. If I took this it would probably just make me fart more. That would help keep people away from me.
This is a bit stronger. It’s the antacid
I read the abstract, I remember the ration was 40 of the drug to 400 of the lacto....so I guess 1/10
“Dyphenhydramine is something I have been using for yrs as a sleep aid”
Is it sold under another name, or is that the name on the bottle?
Hubby takes melatonin, but I think that might be different.
Dyphenhydramine commonly called Benadryl.
I still drink milk with every meal I eat.
I’m 65, and seldom if ever get sick
Interesting.
They try that and the allergy sufferers will lynch them. I buy Benadryl in bulk at Costco, because they are sometimes the only thing that will give me relief.
It is sold at Dollar General as “Nighttime.” 25 mg per capsule. 100 cost one dollar.
Or is it 1.25 now?
Good to know. I have to go there today for something else, so will check it out. I won’t be surprised if the shelves will be empty since this news was released.
Any state that doesn’t have a carve-out for OTC meds. NYS, CA, GA for starters.
Good to know, thanks nully.
Maybe partially, because a lot of families now are not so dilligent with what their kids drink anymore (mine sure wasn’t), but they have fewer of the ACE2 receptor that the virus binds to.
“Individually, the two compounds each inhibited SARS-CoV-2 virus replication by about 30%. Together, they reduced virus replication by 99%.”
Just imagine if we had proceeded at “Warp Speed” to find therapeutics for COVID instead of vaxxines?
Just imagine how many lives would have been saved, illnesses prevented, babies born ALIVE, our DNA in tact, our everyday lives changed (or should I say “UNCHANGED”).
PEOPLE NEED TO HANG! (Gulag them at the least)
Bookmark
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.