Iota-carrageenan for COVID-19: real-time analysis of all 13 studies

Iota-Carrageenan Inhibits Replication of SARS-CoV-2 and the Respective Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta

Fröba et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms222413202 (In Vitro)

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 had antiviral activity. Iota-carrageenan had comparable IC₅₀ values against all variants. Authors conclude that iota-carrageenan might be effective for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 for existing and potentially future variants.

Fröba et al., 12/8/2021, peer-reviewed, 14 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

The Saliva of Probands Sucking an Iota-Carrageenan Containing Lozenge Inhibits Viral Binding and Replication of the Most Predominant Common Cold Viruses and SARS-CoV-2

Morokutti-Kurz et al., International Journal of General Medicine, doi:10.2147/IJGM.S325861

Prospective study of 31 subjects analyzing iota-carrageenan concentration in saliva after using an iota-carrageenan containing lozenge, showing sufficient concentration to neutralize common respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. For SARS-CoV-2, the IC90 was exceeded by 121-fold (p < 0.001). NCT04533906.

Morokutti-Kurz et al., 9/7/2021, peer-reviewed, 12 authors, trial NCT04533906.

Griffithsin and Carrageenan Combination Results in Antiviral Synergy against SARS-CoV-1 and 2 in a Pseudoviral Model

Alsaidi et al., Marine Drugs, doi:10.3390/md19080418 (In Vitro)

In Vitro and In Silico analysis showing SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity of carageenan, and synergistic activity from the combination of carrageenan and griffithsin.

Alsaidi et al., 7/26/2021, peer-reviewed, 12 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

Carrageenan nasal spray may double the rate of recovery from coronavirus and influenza virus infections: Re-analysis of randomized trial data

Hemilä et al., Pharmacology Research and Perspectives, doi:10.1002/prp2.810

Individual patient data meta analysis of two RCTs showing nasal iota-carrageenan improved recovery rate and shortened the duration of long colds. There was a 71% reduction in the risk of long colds (>20 days). The increase in recovery rate was 139% for coronavirus infections, 119% for influenza A infections, and 70% for rhinovirus infections.

Hemilä et al., 6/14/2021, peer-reviewed, 2 authors.

Carrageenan-containing over-the-counter nasal and oral sprays inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection of airway epithelial cultures

Schütz et al., American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, doi:10.1152/ajplung.00552.2020

In Vitro study showing that carrageenan-containing nose spray and mouth spray inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in human airway epithelial cultures.

Schütz et al., 4/28/2021, peer-reviewed, 12 authors.

Iota-carrageenan prevents the replication of SARS-CoV-2 on an in vitro respiratory epithelium model

Varese et al., bioRxiv, doi:10.1101/2021.04.27.441512 (Preprint) (In Vitro)

In Vitro Calu-3 (human respiratory epithelial cell line) study showing that iota-carrageenan inhibits SARS-CoV-2.

Varese et al., 4/27/2021, preprint, 5 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

Efficacy of a nasal spray containing Iota-Carrageenan in the prophylaxis of COVID-19 in hospital personnel dedicated to patients care with COVID-19 disease A pragmatic multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (CARR-COV-02)

Figueroa et al., International Journal of General Medicine, doi:10.2147/IJGM.S328486 (preprint 4/15/2021)

Prophylaxis RCT with 394 healthcare workers, 196 treated with iota-carrageenan, showing significantly lower symptomatic cases with treatment. There were no deaths or hospitalizations. There was a significant number of PCR- symptomatic cases (7.6% treatment and 8.6% control). The two treatment cases occurred shortly after randomization - infection may have occurred before the start of treatment. CARR-COV-02. NCT04521322.

risk of symptomatic case, 80.2% lower, RR 0.20, p = 0.03, treatment 2 of 196 (1.0%), control 10 of 198 (5.1%), NNT 25, OR converted to RR.

Figueroa et al., 4/15/2021, Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial, Argentina, South America, peer-reviewed, 18 authors, trial NCT04521322.

Iota-carrageenan neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and inhibits viral replication in vitro

Morokutti-Kurz et al., PLoS ONE, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237480 (In Vitro)

In Vitro study showing that SARS-CoV-2 is inhibited by iota-carrageenan in a dose dependent manner and to the same extent as other respiratory viruses for which a clinical benefit has been proven. Authors note that clinical data and post market surveillance data show that iota-carrageenan is well-tolerated with very low reported adverse events.

Morokutti-Kurz et al., 2/17/2021, peer-reviewed, 8 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

A randomized trial - intensive treatment based in ivermectin and iota-carrageenan as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 in healthcare agents

Chahla et al., American Journal of Therapeutics, doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000001433

Prophylaxis RCT for ivermectin and iota-carrageenan in Argentina, 117 healthcare workers treated with ivermectin and iota-carrageenan, and 117 controls, showing significantly lower cases with treatment. There were no moderate/severe cases with treatment vs. 10 in the control group. There were 4 cases with treatment (all mild) vs. 25 for the control group. NCT04701710.

risk of moderate/severe case, 95.2% lower, RR 0.05, p = 0.002, treatment 0 of 117 (0.0%), control 10 of 117 (8.5%), NNT 12, relative risk is not 0 because of continuity correction due to zero events, moderate/severe COVID-19.

risk of case, 84.0% lower, RR 0.16, p = 0.004, treatment 4 of 117 (3.4%), control 25 of 117 (21.4%), NNT 5.6, adjusted, OR converted to RR, all cases.

Chahla et al., 1/11/2021, Randomized Controlled Trial, Argentina, South America, peer-reviewed, 11 authors, this trial uses multiple treatments in the treatment arm (combined with ivermectin) - results of individual treatments may vary, trial NCT04701710.

Antiviral activity of sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae and its application in combating COVID-19: Mini review

Hans et al., Bioresource Technology Reports, doi:10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100623 (Review)

Review of the antiviral activity of marine sulfated polysaccharides including carrageenan, and the mechanisms of action for
inhibiting different stages of viral infection.

Hans et al., 12/29/2020, peer-reviewed, 3 authors.

Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Ivermectin + Iota-Carrageenan in the Prophylaxis against COVID-19 in Health Personnel

Carvallo et al., Journal of Biomedical Research and Clinical Investigation, doi:10.31546/2633-8653.1007

Prophylaxis study using ivermectin and iota-carrageenan showing 0 of 788 cases from treated healthcare workers, compared to 237 of 407 control.

The authors later reported that carrageenan is not necessary in this protocol [youtube.com].

1. youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB6Bvi_g-w8.

risk of case, 99.9% lower, RR 0.001, p < 0.001, treatment 0 of 788 (0.0%), control 237 of 407 (58.2%), NNT 1.7, relative risk is not 0 because of continuity correction due to zero events.

Excluded in after exclusion results of meta analysis: concern about potential data issues.

Carvallo et al., 11/17/2020, prospective, Argentina, South America, peer-reviewed, 4 authors, this trial uses multiple treatments in the treatment arm (combined with ivermectin) - results of individual treatments may vary.

Inhibitory activities of marine sulfated polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2

Song et al., Food & Function, doi:10.1039/D0FO02017F (In Vitro)

In Vitro study showing significant antiviral activity of marine sulfated polysaccharides iota-carrageenan, sea cucumber sulfated polysaccharide, and fucoidan.

Song et al., 8/24/2020, peer-reviewed, 10 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

Iota-carrageenan and xylitol inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell culture

Bansal et al., PLoS ONE, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259943 (preprint 8/21/20) (In Vitro)

In Vitro study showing that iota-carrageenan in concentrations as low as 6 µg/mL (easily achievable with existing nasal sprays) inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell cultures.

Bansal et al., 8/21/2020, peer-reviewed, 7 authors.

In Vitro studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

Repositioning Therapeutics for COVID-19: Virtual Screening of the Potent Synthetic and Natural Compounds as SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Inhibitors

Sattari et al., Research Square, doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-37994/v1 (Preprint)

In Silico study identifying kappa-carrageenan and other compounds as potential candidates for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition.

Sattari et al., 6/29/2020, preprint, 3 authors.

In Silico studies are an important part of preclinical research, however results may be very different in vivo.

Carrageenan nasal spray in virus confirmed common cold: individual patient data analysis of two randomized controlled trials

Koenighofer et al., Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine, doi:10.1186/2049-6958-9-57

Analysis of 2 RCTs concluding that carrageenan nasal spray reduced duration of virus-confirmed common colds, increased viral clearance, and reduced relapses.

Koenighofer et al., 1/1/2014, peer-reviewed, 8 authors.

Antiandrogens	(meta)	Lactoferrin	(meta)
Aspirin	(meta)	Melatonin	(meta)
Bamlaniv../e..	(meta)	Metformin	(meta)
Bebtelovimab	(meta)	Molnupiravir	(meta)
Bromhexine	(meta)	N-acetylcys..	(meta)
Budesonide	(meta)	Nigella Sativa	(meta)
Cannabidiol	(meta)	Nitazoxanide	(meta)
Casirivimab/i..	(meta)	Paxlovid	(meta)
Colchicine	(meta)	Peg.. Lambda	(meta)
Conv. Plasma	(meta)	Povidone-Iod..	(meta)
Curcumin	(meta)	Probiotics	(meta)
Diet	(meta)	Proxalutamide	(meta)
Ensitrelvir	(meta)	Quercetin	(meta)
Ensovibep	(meta)	Remdesivir	(meta)
Exercise	(meta)	Sleep	(meta)
Famotidine	(meta)	Sotrovimab	(meta)
Favipiravir	(meta)	Tixagev../c..	(meta)
Fluvoxamine	(meta)	Vitamin A	(meta)
Hydroxychlor..	(meta)	Vitamin C	(meta)
Iota-carragee..	(meta)	Vitamin D	(meta)
Ivermectin	(meta)	Zinc	(meta)

Other Treatments		Global Adoption