Lentinan from Shiitake Mushrooms, Reduces COVID-19 Transmission by Altering Virus Aerosol Characteristics

Medical News: Since the emergence of COVID-19, scientists worldwide have been studying ways to limit the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One major challenge has been controlling the airborne transmission of the virus, which occurs when infected individuals exhale tiny virus-laden aerosols that remain suspended in the air. A recent study conducted by researchers from the Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology has revealed that lentinan (LNT), a natural compound extracted from shiitake mushrooms, significantly reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in golden hamsters.


Lentinan from Shiitake Mushrooms, Reduces COVID-19 Transmission by Altering Virus Aerosol Characteristics

This Medical News report provides an in-depth look at the study’s findings, explaining how lentinan can decrease the amount of exhaled virus aerosols, thereby reducing the likelihood of airborne transmission. These results suggest that lentinan could be a promising therapeutic intervention for COVID-19 patients.
 
The Study and Its Methods
To assess the impact of lentinan on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the researchers conducted experiments using golden hamsters, which are known to be highly susceptible to the virus. The study involved two groups of hamsters: one group received lentinan treatment, while the other served as a control. The hamsters were intranasally inoculated with the virus, and the researchers measured viral loads in the nasal turbinates, trachea, and lungs over several days.
 
To evaluate airborne transmission, the researchers placed infected donor hamsters in cages near uninfected recipient hamsters but prevented direct contact between them. They then analyzed the amount and size of viral aerosols exhaled by the infected hamsters using an Andersen-6 sampler, a device that captures airborne particles based on their aerodynamic properties.
 
Key Findings: Lentinan Significantly Lowers Viral Aerosol Transmission
One of the most striking findings was that lentinan treatment reduced the airborne transmission efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 from 100% (9 out of 9 hamsters) to 44.4% (4 out of 9 hamsters). This means that fewer recipient hamsters became infected when housed near infected donors that had received lentinan.
 
Additionally, viral loads in the respiratory system of the infected hamsters were significantly lower in the lentinan-treated group. The study found that lentinan treatment led to a reduction in virus concentrations in the nasal turbinate, trachea, and lungs, with infected hamsters exhibiting lower levels of viral shedding.
 
Moreover, lentinan-treated hamsters exhaled significantly fewer virus-laden aerosols throughout the disease progression. The amount of viral particles with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 5 micrometers (the size range most easily inhaled into human lungs) was subs tantially reduced following lentinan treatment. Importantly, the study found that the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled aerosols was also reduced in the lentinan-treated hamsters, making the virus less capable of spreading to new hosts.
 
Understanding How Lentinan Works
Lentinan is a β-1,3-glucan with well-documented immunomodulatory properties. Previous studies have shown that lentinan can enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and inhibit viral replication in various infections.
 
One possible explanation for the observed reduction in viral aerosols is that lentinan strengthens the host’s immune response, leading to lower viral loads in the respiratory tract. Additionally, the study suggests that lentinan may alter the properties of exhaled droplets, making them less likely to remain airborne and spread infection.
 
Another intriguing possibility is that lentinan affects the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses. Recent research has suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may interact with certain bacteria in the gut, potentially influencing disease severity and transmission. Lentinan’s ability to restore gut microbial balance and improve immune function may therefore contribute to its antiviral effects.
 
Implications for COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention
These findings have significant implications for COVID-19 prevention and treatment strategies. The ability of lentinan to reduce viral shedding and decrease airborne transmission suggests that it could be used as a therapeutic agent, either alone or in combination with existing treatments.
 
Importantly, lentinan is already widely used in traditional medicine and has a strong safety profile, making it a promising candidate for further research in human clinical trials. If future studies confirm its effectiveness in reducing viral transmission in humans, lentinan-based therapies could be incorporated into COVID-19 treatment protocols to help curb the spread of the virus.
 
Limitations and Future Research
While this study provides compelling evidence of lentinan’s antiviral properties, there are still some limitations that need to be addressed. For example, the researchers focused primarily on aerosol transmission and did not evaluate whether lentinan affects other modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, such as direct contact or fecal-oral spread.
 
Additionally, this study examined the effects of lentinan treatment after infection had already occurred. It remains unclear whether prophylactic use of lentinan (before exposure to the virus) could provide even greater protection. Future research should explore these aspects, as well as the molecular mechanisms by which lentinan exerts its effects.
 
Conclusion
The findings from this study highlight the potential of lentinan as an effective antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2. By reducing viral loads, limiting viral shedding, and altering the aerodynamic properties of exhaled aerosols, lentinan significantly decreases the risk of airborne transmission. These promising results suggest that lentinan could be a valuable addition to existing COVID-19 treatment strategies.

Further research is needed to determine whether lentinan has similar effects in human patients and to explore its potential for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection before exposure. If confirmed, lentinan could become a safe and natural tool to help combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Microorganisms.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/3/597
 
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