Studies Investigate Use of Disinfectant Mouthwash and Nasal Sprays in Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 to Improve Patient, Therapist Outcomes

NewsRescue

Ongoing studies are investigating the use via gargling or nasal spraying of various anti-microbials and disinfectants to reduce COVID-19 infection and transmission in infected and suspected cases.

Various agents being tested include, ArtemiC (artemisinin, curcumin, frankincense and vitamin C), Citrox (a bioflavonoid), cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, hypertonic saline, Kerecis spray (omega 3 viruxide – containing neem oil and St John’s wort), neem extract, nitric oxide releasing solution, povidone iodine and saline with baby shampoo.

Chlorine dioxide, is an example of a common disinfectant which studies have found have a better safety profile when processed “green”, purified to a highest standard.

“UC-1 (a chlorine dioxide solution) was produced through a green process with clean starting materials and procedures. UC-1 solution demonstrated satisfactory antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. Low toxicity was demonstrated through an in vitro cytoxicity test (high IC₅₀ 765 ± 18 ppm), 50 ppm ClO₂ did not cause eye irradiation in an ocular irritation test, mice did not exhibit abnormality and mortality in a 20 ppm ClO₂ inhalation toxicity test, and concentrations of UC-1 up to 40 ppm were nontoxic to mice for 90 days in subchronic oral toxicity test.” Read more

On the ongoing studies to evaluate the nasal spraying and mouthwashing with the various disinfectants and anti-microbials, Martin J. Burton et al concluded:

“We found no completed studies to include in this review. We identified 16 ongoing studies (including 14 RCTs), which aim to enrol nearly 1250 participants. The interventions included in these trials are ArtemiC (artemisinin, curcumin, frankincense and vitamin C), Citrox (a bioflavonoid), cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, hypertonic saline, Kerecis spray (omega 3 viruxide – containing neem oil and St John’s wort), neem extract, nitric oxide releasing solution, povidone iodine and saline with baby shampoo. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: We identified no studies for inclusion in this review. This is not surprising given the relatively recent emergence of COVID-19 infection. It is promising that the question posed in this review is being addressed by a number of RCTs and other studies.” Read full