Xylitol Nasal Spray Prevents SARS-CoV-2 Infection; Balmforth et al. studied a xylitol-based nasal spray known to have anti-infective & anti-inflammatory properties and is used in XLEAR nasal sprays

by Paul Alexander

They found significant benefit in this xylitol-based nasal spray in preventing COVID infection; Dr. McCullough has written about this in the past in his substack

Researchers conducted a randomized control trial looking at the efficacy of a nasal spray against SARS-CoV-2.

The nasal spray (xylitol-based) combined various natural viricidal agents with mechanisms that would work to prevent viral entry.

Researchers found that the nasal spray significantly reduced the infection rate from 34.5% to 13.1% whereby far less patients were symptomatic in the test group (7.6% vs 34.6%; p < 0.0001).

Researchers reported no serious adverse events either trial arm (group) of the study.

SOURCE:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1386653222001809?via%3Dihub

‘a multi-centre, prospective, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Key eligibility criteria included absence of significant co-morbidity and no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Participants were randomised to either the active agent nasal spray or placebo using computer generated random number tables. The nasal spray was administered 3 times daily over a 45 day course. The primary end point was the percentage of subjects who tested positive for IgGS (anti-spike, immunoglobulin G specific to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2) at day 45.’

‘Researchers have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can enter host cells via an acidic pH-dependant pathway [5][6][7]. Facilitation of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is mediated through a structural protein, the spike (S) protein, which interacts with the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors present on the surface of these host cells [7]. In addition to ACE-2 receptors, key target-cell proteases such as furin [8][9][10], TMPRSS2 [5,11] and cathepsin L [12,13] are utilized by the virus and studies have provided further insight into the SARS-CoV-2 entry pathway. This study reports the development of a prophylactic nasal spray targeted to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is simple to produce and easily affordable.’

Key findings:

‘Results Between 16th April 2021 and 26th July 2021, 556 participants were analysed for the primary endpoint (275 Test; 281 Placebo). The test agent significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to placebo [36 cases (13.1%) Vs 97 cases (34.5%); OR 0.29 (95% CI; 0.18–0.45), p < 0.0001]. Fewer clinical symptoms were also seen in the test group [57 cases (17.6%) vs 112 cases (34.6%); OR 0.40, (95% CI; 0.27–0.59), p < 0.0001]. No harmful effects were associated with taking the test agent.’