Iodine derivative kills SARS-CoV-2 within 90 sec

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), which is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is often transmitted to others through respiratory droplets from saliva and nasal fluid. When an individual is infected with COVID-19, these tiny droplets contain SARS-CoV-2 viral particles that have a diameter within the range of 0-10 micrometers (µm).

Infected respiratory droplets can be produced during talking, sneezing, coughing, and panting by an infected individual, and can remain viable in aerosols for up to 3 hours. As a result, this mechanism of transmission has been primarily responsible for the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, causing over 190 million confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and more than 4 million deaths as of July 20, 2021.

Study: Efficacy of “Essential Iodine Drops” against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Image Credit: bluecrayola / Shutterstock.com

The antiviral activity of iodine

While mitigation measures such as lockdowns, masking, social distancing, and vaccines have been adopted to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, several other methods of reducing and controlling the virus have been proposed. Oral and nasal sprays with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, for example, are actively being studied. More specifically, an Intranasal Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I; 1.25%) spray has been found to be active against SARS-CoV-2, as well as SARS-CoV and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

“Iodine is established as having a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal pathogens and has been used as an antiseptic for the prevention of infection and the treatment of wounds for decades.”

A recent study published in PLOS One estimated the virucidal efficacy of Essential Iodine Drops (EID) for oral/nasal decontamination of known or suspected cases of COVID-19 as a potentially better alternative to the PVP-I.

The superior activity of EID

Zoltán Köntös, a researcher from IOI Investment Zrt., in Budapest, Hungary, recently demonstrated the efficacy of iodine against SARS-CoV-2 as a better alternative to Povidone-Iodine. In this work, Dr. Köntös found that Iodine-V, which is currently available as the EID formulation, inactivated 99% of SARS-CoV-2 after 60 and 90 seconds. These results were similar to PVP-I, which has previously been reported to inhibit 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2 at 60 seconds.

“Iodine-V offers an advantage as a nasal or oral antiseptic to reduce viral transmission from known or suspected COVID-19 patients.”

While the current study established that EIDs are as efficacious as PVP-I against SARS-CoV-2, it also discussed it as a potentially safer alternative to PVP-I, as this agent is known to cause serious rashes despite being non-cytotoxic. When used as a preoperative antiseptic in oral and maxillofacial surgery, for example, PVP-I is often associated with late-onset allergic contact dermatitis in some patients due to the free iodine that has an oxidizing effect on the skin or mucosa.

The improved safety profile of EID is largely due to the significantly lower amount of iodine present in this formulation as compared to that which is found in PVP-I. EID, for example, is an aqueous solution of Iodine-V containing 200 micrograms (μg) of elemental iodine/milliliter (ml). This is comparable to 1-5% PVP-I, which often contains 1000–5000 μg/ml iodine.

In addition to the therapeutic benefits of EID against SARS-CoV-2, the Iodine-V in EID also serves as a mineral supplement that can maintain healthy thyroid functioning.

“Being already on the market as a mineral supplement to help people with iodine deficiency, it is safe when used routinely orally or intranasally in known or suspected COVID-19 patients.”

Conclusion

Taken together, the current study concluded that being excipient-free, Iodine-V is likely to have better stability and an enhanced potency in vivo when compared with PVP-I against SARS-CoV-2. The study, therefore, recommends the use of intranasal/oral Iodine-V to reduce the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2.

Journal reference:
Dr. Ramya Dwivedi

Written by

Dr. Ramya Dwivedi

Ramya has a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the National Chemical Laboratories (CSIR-NCL), in Pune. Her work consisted of functionalizing nanoparticles with different molecules of biological interest, studying the reaction system and establishing useful applications.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Dwivedi, Ramya. (2021, July 19). Iodine derivative kills SARS-CoV-2 within 90 sec. News-Medical. Retrieved on December 11, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/Iodine-derivative-kills-SARS-CoV-2-within-90-sec.aspx.

  • MLA

    Dwivedi, Ramya. "Iodine derivative kills SARS-CoV-2 within 90 sec". News-Medical. 11 December 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/Iodine-derivative-kills-SARS-CoV-2-within-90-sec.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Dwivedi, Ramya. "Iodine derivative kills SARS-CoV-2 within 90 sec". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/Iodine-derivative-kills-SARS-CoV-2-within-90-sec.aspx. (accessed December 11, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Dwivedi, Ramya. 2021. Iodine derivative kills SARS-CoV-2 within 90 sec. News-Medical, viewed 11 December 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/Iodine-derivative-kills-SARS-CoV-2-within-90-sec.aspx.

Comments

  1. Richard Denis Jones Richard Denis Jones United Kingdom says:

    You should send a copy of this article to Boris (PM)

  2. John Hasse John Hasse United States says:

    For those of us who are not chemistry majors:  HOW do you make a solution with 200 micrograms per milliliter???

  3. Lynn Lavalette Lynn Lavalette United States says:

    You have us make a mug of your salt solution, then say to "snort that mugful into your nose" from your palms.
    1. Did you really mean for us to snort up the entire "mugful" each time, or just a few snorts? Pls clarify.
    Than, you say to "swallow a couple of mouthfuls" to "clean out the lungs".
    2. Swallowing anything doesn't go into the lungs, because the swallowing tube to the stomach is separate from the breathing tube to the lungs. Pls clarify what you meant to say.
    The 2 above points make me hope that you simply chose the wrong wording and will clarify. Without that, anyone who follows you is a fool.
    And I see someone else asked for help with making the solution & you didn't reply. That's likely because we have no way to contact Richard, the man who has this nasal/oral salt solution therapy. And he hasn't returned so doesn't know of the now 2 comments awaiting his response. Too bad, as this makes sense to me but without clarifying, it's useless.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Mild COVID-19 disrupts brain connectivity and reduces memory function in adolescents and young adults