A nasal spray could provide an important breakthrough in Covid-19 cure. Canadian biotech company SaNOtize Research & Development Corp (SaNOtize) has developed a nitric oxide nasal spray (NONS).
Trial findings say this could help the world to fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Reuters reported that Israel and New Zealand have given interim approval for the sale of biotech firm SaNOtize Research and Development’s Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS).
How does the nasal spray work?
The SaNOtize treatment is designed to kill the virus in the upper airways, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs. It is based on nitric oxide (NO), a natural nanomolecule produced by the human body with proven anti-microbial properties shown to have a direct effect on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The pharmacology, toxicity, and safety data for NO use in humans has been well-established for decades. The NO molecule released from NONS is identical to the one delivered in its gaseous form to treat persistent pulmonary hypertension, or Blue Baby Syndrome, in newborn babies.
The company website lists the following mechanisms of action:
Antibacterial – NO Interferes with DNA repair mechanisms, nitrosylating heme-containing or thiol-containing metabolic proteins, damages membrane lipids, or modulates the host immune response.
Antiviral –After nitrosylating cysteine moieties, NO likely causes conformational changes on surface glycoproteins that can interfere with host cell fusion, preventing infection and release of virions from already infected host cells, similar to neuraminidase inhibitors.
In the cell – NO interferes with mRNA transcription and replication via inhibition of either viral ribonucleotide or viral RNA synthesis.
Antifungal –The antifungal effect of NO is likely a result of nitrosylation of cysteine sites which leads to protein structural changes that interfere with basic enzymatic and/or catalytic activity.
Anti-inflammatory –NO inhibits the synthesis of most pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokines) and promotes the synthesis of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Increase blood flow –Potent selective vasodilator effect caused by smooth muscle relaxation in response to increased cGMP and decreased Ca2+ ion influx in smooth muscle cells; inactivated by phosphodiesterase and binding to haemoglobin.
Enhanced wound healing –While high-dose NO works as an antimicrobial, low-dose NO promotes increased collagen formation, increased blood flow, and up-regulates growth factors.
About SaNOtize
SaNOtize Research & Development Corp. is a biotech company based in Vancouver, BC working to commercialize the multi-faceted antimicrobial properties of a liquid producing nitric oxide. The company has developed and patented a Nitric Oxide Releasing Solution platform technology (NORSTM) to treat and prevent microbial infections.