A novel antiviral formulation containing caprylic acid inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of a human bronchial epithelial cell model. (14th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Purves, Kevin; Haverty, Ruth; O'Neill, Tiina; Folan, David; O'Reilly, Sophie; Baird, Alan W.; Scholz, Dimitri; Mallon, Patrick W.; Gautier, Virginie; Folan, Michael; Fletcher, Nicola F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of general virology. Volume 104:Number 2(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-14
• Subjects: antiviral -- coronavirus -- caprylic acid -- caprylate -- enveloped virus -- viral envelope; Virology -- Periodicals; Viruses; Microbiology; Virology; Virologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Virology; Virologie; Virologie; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; 579.2
• DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1317

Abstract

Abstract : A novel proprietary formulation, ViruSAL, has previously been demonstrated to inhibit diverse enveloped viral infections in vitro and in vivo . We evaluated the ability of ViruSAL to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) infectivity, using physiologically relevant models of the human bronchial epithelium, to model early infection of the upper respiratory tract. ViruSAL potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells cultured as an air–liquid interface (ALI) model, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Viral infection was completely inhibited when ViruSAL was added to bronchial airway models prior to infection. Importantly, ViruSAL also inhibited viral infection when added to ALI models post-infection. No evidence of cellular toxicity was detected in ViruSAL-treated cells at concentrations that completely abrogated viral infectivity. Moreover, intranasal instillation of ViruSAL to a rat model did not result in any toxicity or pathological changes. Together these findings highlight the potential for ViruSAL as a novel and potent antiviral for use within clinical and prophylactic settings.