Insights from the Research
Testing Curcumin’s Physical Traits
The team tested the curcumin solution’s color, pH, droplet size, osmolarity, and viscosity. Even after freeze-thaw cycles, these traits stayed stable, showing curcumin’s stability.
Curcumin Against Viruses
At a 6.25 µg/ml concentration, curcumin blocks the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from attaching to the ACE2 receptor on human cells. This concentration did not harm the cells.
Curcumin Spray’s Efficacy
The spray with curcumin also worked well. It stopped viruses at a 10 µg/ml concentration without harming cells. Its selectivity index, a safety and effectiveness measure, was 1.23 for curcumin and 1.68 for the spray.
Comparing Antiviral Effects
The spray was most effective against SARS-CoV-2, then influenza B and A/H1N1 viruses. It was less effective against influenza A/H3N2.
Curcumin’s Role in Immunity
The spray boosted antimicrobial peptide production in mouth cells and reduced the hBD-2 protein. This boost wasn’t seen in nasal cells.
Curcumin and Inflammation
In response to the spray, mouth cells increased interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. Nasal cells didn’t show this increase.
Study’s Overall Importance
The study highlights the new spray’s ability to fight viruses and boost immunity in the mouth. It could help block viruses from entering cells and reduce disease severity.
For more detailed information about the study and its findings, you can read the official publication: Nittayananta W. 2024. ‘A novel film spray containing curcumin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection and enhances mucosal immunity.’ Virology Journal. Read the study here.
For any further information you can send an e-mail at: info@homed.gr or visit our Contact page.
