Details In Vitro study of iota-, lambda-, and kappa-carrageenan sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed on SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan type and variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, showing that all three carrageenan types. Altogether, these results indicate that iota-carrageenan might be effective for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections independent of the present and potentially future variants. Efficacy of Iota-Carrageenan spray prophylaxis for healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients A double blind randomised placebo-controlled trial. Iota-Carrageenan Inhibits Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and the Respective Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. The downside is that gelatin is an animal product, unlike the other carrageenan substitutes. From an availability standpoint alone, it makes a good carrageenan substitute since carrageenan may not be the easiest thing to find if you need it in a hurry. Iota-carrageenan exhibits antiviral activity with comparable IC 50 values against the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan type and the VOCs. Unflavored gelatin can be found in most grocery stores in the US and is relatively affordable. Here, we demonstrate by using a SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped lentivirus particles (SSPL) system and patient-isolated SARS-CoV-2 VOCs to infect transgenic A549ACE2/TMPRSS2 and Calu-3 human lung cells that all three carrageenan types exert antiviral activity. Carrageenans as part of broadly used nasal and mouth sprays as well as lozenges have the potential of first line defense to inhibit the infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of iota-, lambda- and kappa-carrageenan, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweed, on SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan type and the spreading variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. It is used as a thickener and stabilizer in a wide range of food products. Hence, the need of effective and viable prevention options to reduce viral transmission is of outmost importance. Food-grade carrageenan is a purified extract from red seaweed, (Chondrus crispus). This might also contribute to the emergence of new variants, being more efficiently transmitted, more virulent and more capable of escaping naturally acquired and vaccine-induced immunity. Vaccine inefficiency, vaccination breakthroughs and lack of supply, especially in developing countries, as well as the fact that a non-negligible part of the population either refuse vaccination or cannot be vaccinated due to age, pre-existing illness or non-response to existing vaccines intensify this issue. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread around the world and remains a major public health threat.