Iota-carrageenan inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells.
Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) remains a significant public health threat.
The antiviral efficacy of iota-carrageenan has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo against a variety of respiratory viruses (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza and parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.).
The therapeutic effectiveness of iota-carrageenan has been proven in clinical trials with more than 600 patients suffering from viral respiratory infections. The main advantage of iota-carrageenan is its broad antiviral activity against different virus strains, which is particularly important when it comes to rhinoviruses or coronaviruses.
Typically, people can become ill with COVID-19 after the virus has entered the body through the nose or throat.
Iota-carrageenan (the active ingredient in AGOVIRAX®) coats the surface of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, forming a physical barrier that helps to protect against the spread of viruses that cause respiratory infections. This in turn may suppress the viral load in the mucous membrane and the body’s natural defences may fight the infection more efficiently.
May strongly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its spread2
The clinical trial involved 394 physicians who were in contact with patients infected with COVID-19. 196 physicians were prescribed nasal spray containing iota-carrageenan for 20 days and 198 were given placebo. The incidence of COVID-19 during the study was significantly different between the subjects who received nasal spray with iota-carrageenan (2 out of 196 [1.0%]) and subjects who received placebo (10 out of 198 [5.0%]). The relative reduction in COVID-19 risk was found to be 79.8%.
Reduces the reproduction and spread of viruses that infect the airways1
Patients with the first cold symptoms were divided into two treatment groups: iota-carrageenan and placebo. For the determination of respiratory virus load, quantitative PCR analysis was performed in all subjects on the first visit. The resulting values of virus positive samples were set at 100%. A second quantitative PCR analysis was performed 3 to 5 days after the start of treatment. The quantity of virus positive samples at the second visit was calculated in percent of the value of the first visit.
Viral load in the placebo group increased almost 6-fold (579%), while it dramatically decreased by 92% in the iota-carrageenan group (p < 0.009). This result indicates that the treatment of patients with iota-carrageenan leads to a highly statistically significant reduction of viral load in the mucous membranes.
Can shorten the duration of flu-like illnesses3
The intensity of symptoms was similar for iota-carrageenan (6.42 ± 0.18) and placebo (6.59 ± 0.16) treated patients at visit one. The duration of disease in the iota-carrageenan group diminished by 2 days on average, as compared to the placebo group (in children group 7.6 vs 9.4 days, in adults group 11.6 vs 13.7 days).
Helps alleviate the severity of cold symptoms4
Severity of symptoms was calculated by assessing the average severity of eight individual symptoms (headache, muscle ache, fever, sore throat, blocked nose, runny nose, coughing and sneezing). Reduction of symptom severity in iota-carrageenan group was visible as of day 4. The other group felt relief much later.
Can reduce new infections and the return of virus-related cold symptoms3
In the iota carrageenan group, the disease recurred in 14% of patients, while in the placebo group it recurred in 30% (p = 0.01).
As some patients had more than one relapse during the observation period, the average number of relapses per patient was calculated. The average number of relapses per patient was 0.15 in the iota-carrageenan group and 0.38 in the placebo group (p = 0.01).
After consuming a single lozenge, Iota-carrageenan concentration in saliva is sufficient to inhibit respiratory viruses13
After the administration of AGOVIRAX® lozenge, the iota-carrageenan saliva concentration reached more than 60 times the minimum level needed to reduce the replication or binding of tested viruses.13
IC90 (inhibitory concentration 90%) – the concentration that inhibits 90% of a certain process (e.g., the growth of a virus or bacteria).
Iota-carrageenan reduces the symptoms of viral pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat)14
180 patients were randomly divided into two groups, which were given iota-carrageenan or placebo lozenges six times a day for up to 10 days. The group of patients who took iota-carrageenan lozenges experienced a significant reduction in symptom severity, especially between days 2 and 4, compared to the group that took the placebo (p = 0.036). Five days after starting to take the lozenges, the viral load in the throat of patients infected with rhinovirus decreased by 90.2% in the iota-carrageenan group.14