Another English language oddity, milk comes from the whole animal in the case of a cow, but only from an apparently distinct and stand-alone breast associated with a human mother. Go figure...
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 One researcher presented unpublished data on federally approved compounds that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity, including lactoferrin.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.
Super. Mega-Dittos.
Benadryl
Cool. We have that in the cabinet. Thanks.
“diphenhydramine” is sold as a sleep aid at CVS.
Now you can sleep thru your deadly bout of COVID.
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Another English language oddity, milk comes from the whole animal in the case of a cow, but only from an apparently distinct and stand-alone breast associated with a human mother. Go figure...
It’s the generic for Benadryl
That’s very interesting. I take the Dyphenhydramine at 6 PM. I am a very early riser, getting up at 3:30 am and seldom if ever drive before 9:30 am.
How long does it take for this stuff to clear the system?
As a chemist, I can say that “lactoferrin is lactoferrin” whether it comes from an udder or a woman.
On the other thread ConservativeMind left me with the impression that there were a few differences between cow and human lactoferrin.
They’ll be labeled as quacks in 3, 2, 1....
There is “lactoferrin” and “apolactoferrin.”
“Are lactoferrin and apolactoferrin the same thing? You may see the word apolactoferrin used on supplement bottles. Apolactoferrin is a component of lactoferrin. Over 90% of the lactoferrin in human milk is in the form of apolactoferrin. This form does not contain ferric iron.”
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-lactoferrin-89471
From that prior thread:
From the study:
“Lactoferrin from human milk was obtained…”
There are bovine lactoferrin options that would be fine. Other studies showed their efficacy.
Thanks.
Bookmark lactoferin and benadryl COVID-19(84)
Thanks for the information
You should stop. First generation antihistamine use is strongly correlated with development of dementia later on. Occasional use is probably ok.
So, my insomnia meds combined with my love of chocolate milk, might actually be protecting me from covid? Cool!
I think I’ll have another glass of milk :)
Which to a chemist are two completely different substances....
Fauci, Wollensky and Biden: REEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Coronavirus PING!
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