Thailand Doctors and Pharmacists Develop New Oral and Nasal Antivirals to Combat SARS-CoV-2 and Flu Viruses
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 09, 2025 12 hours, 34 minutes ago
Medical News: Doctors and Pharmacists in Thailand Make a Breakthrough in Antiviral Research
A team of researchers from multiple institutions in Thailand has developed innovative oral and nasal antiviral formulations that show strong potential in combating SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. The study, conducted by researchers from Silpakorn University, Burapha University, Mahidol University, and the Chulabhorn Research Institute, has demonstrated that these formulations exhibit significant virucidal activity. This Medical News report explores the groundbreaking research that could lead to new preventive and therapeutic solutions against viral infections.
Thailand Doctors and Pharmacists Develop New Oral and Nasal Antivirals to Combat
SARS-CoV-2 and Flu Viruses
A New Hope in the Fight Against Respiratory Viruses
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for effective antiviral treatments to reduce transmission and severity of infections. Influenza, another serious respiratory virus, continues to pose a threat with seasonal outbreaks.
Thailand Doctors and Pharmacists have responded to these challenges by developing novel formulations incorporating three key active ingredients: D-limonene (DLM), monolaurin (ML), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). These compounds have been previously recognized for their antiviral properties, and the new study optimizes their concentrations in oral and nasal solutions to enhance their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.
How the New Formulations Work
The study aimed to develop and evaluate oral (Formulation D) and nasal (Formulation E) antiviral formulations. Researchers designed the products to maximize their virucidal activity while ensuring safety and stability. The key components work as follows:
D-limonene (DLM): A natural compound found in citrus peels known to disrupt viral replication and enhance immune response.
Monolaurin (ML): Derived from lauric acid, it interferes with viral membrane integrity, preventing infection.
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC): A quaternary ammonium compound that can reduce viral loads in the mouth and nasal passages.
Laboratory Findings: High Efficacy Against Viruses
In vitro testing revealed that both formulations demonstrated remarkable effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses:
-Oral Formulation D (containing 0.3% DLM, 0.2% ML, and 0.05% CPC) achieved a 99.99% reduction in SARS-CoV-2 within 120 seconds.
-Nasal Formulation E (containing 0.2% DLM and 0.05% CPC) achieved a 99.87% reduction in SARS-CoV-2 within 120 seconds.
Both formulations exhibited greater than 99.99% effectiveness against influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses, with log reductions exceeding 4.000.&l
t;br />
Stability and Safety: Meeting Pharmaceutical Standards
The formulations underwent rigorous stability and contamination testing. Key findings include:
-The formulations maintained their effectiveness when stored at 4°C for six months.
-No microbial contamination was detected, ensuring safety for human use.
-Minimal degradation of active ingredients was observed, confirming long-term stability.
What This Means for the Future
The development of these oral and nasal antiviral formulations offers promising potential for use in daily preventive measures against viral infections. By reducing viral loads in the mouth and nasal passages, these products could help lower the risk of transmission in public settings, healthcare environments, and high-risk populations.
While the study’s findings are based on in vitro (laboratory-based) tests, the next step is conducting clinical trials to assess the formulations’ real-world effectiveness and safety in human use. If successful, these products could become widely available as over-the-counter antiviral solutions.
Conclusions
The research conducted by Thai scientists represents a significant advancement in antiviral technology. The combination of D-limonene, monolaurin, and cetylpyridinium chloride has demonstrated robust effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. With 99.99% efficacy in reducing viral loads, these formulations hold great promise for preventing infections and could become essential tools in global health strategies. Future clinical trials will be crucial in determining their practical applications and widespread availability.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Pharmaceutics.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/349
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-doctors-and-radiologists-find-that-siemens-and-neusoft-ct-scanners-outperform-philips-ct-machines
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-doctors-and-scientists-investigate-probiotic-potential-against-drug-resistant-salmonella
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-doctors-and-researchers-explore-sacha-inchi-oil-and-its-effects-on-gut-health
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
Follow us on:
https://x.com/ThailandMedicaX
https://www.facebook.com/ThailandMedicalNews
https://bsky.app/profile/thailandmedical.bsky.social
https://gettr.com/user/thailandmedicalnews
https://www.tribel.com/thailandmedical/wall
and 33 other social media platforms
Share
Tweet
Share
