SARS-CoV-2 virus membrane bursts with some mouthwashes

A study has made it possible to visualize for the first time that the SARS-CoV-2 membrane bursts when it comes into contact with a chemical compound present in some mouthwashes, which would have the consequence that the virus decreases its ability to infect human cells.

The study, carried out by the Universitat de València (UV), in eastern Spain, and Dentaid Research Center and published in the ‘Journal of Oral Microbiology’, determines that this burst occurs upon contact with Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) , present in some mouthwashes, according to a statement from the academic institution.

According to the sources, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been shown to have a strong affinity for oral tissues and actively replicates in the salivary glands; the saliva of infected individuals normally has a high virus load.

Reducing the viral load in the mouth could be a strategy to reduce its spread and, in this sense, several studies have shown that some mouthwashes have the ability to inactivate some viruses that are transmitted through the air, such as the flu , some coronaviruses and even SARS-CoV-2.

Currently, numerous dental societies have recommended the use of mouthrinses with CPC to help reduce the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the dental office.

Now, the study signed by a research group from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of Valencia, headed by Professor Ismael Mingarro, and by researchers Manuel Bañó and Rubén León, from Dentaid Research Center, completes these investigations and explains the mechanism of the antiviral activity of the CPC molecule.

The results show that the antiviral action of CPC is produced thanks to its ability to break the membrane of SARS-CoV-2 and, as has been shown in other studies, would have the consequence that the virus decreases its ability to infect human cells. .

Mechanism of antiviral activity

In the study, pseudoviral particles (VLPs) were generated that mimic the SARS-CoV-2 virus, contain the four structural proteins of the virus and have the size and morphology of the viral particles of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The only difference with the SARS-CoV-2 virions is that the VLPs do not contain the genetic material, which makes them non-infective.

The generated VLPs were treated with CPC and it was observed how those that had been in contact with the CPC were disaggregated, explains Ismael Mingarro.

“The disintegration was observed using electron microscopy techniques, where it was possible to demonstrate how these particles burst when they come into contact with the CPC.”, he points.

Furthermore, the results demonstrate that CPC significantly decreases the integrity of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs at a concentration as low as 0.05%.

“These results corroborate the mechanism of action by which Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) would act on the SARS-CoV-2 membrane, producing its degradation.”, explains Manuel Bañó, a researcher at the Dentaid Research Center.

CPC is a key ingredient in many mouthwashes that works as an antiseptic that kills bacteria and other microorganisms, such as viruses.

“This work explains the mechanism by which CPC can degrade the SARS-CoV-2 membrane, and it is important because it lays the groundwork for future experiments to demonstrate that the use of mouthwashes is a complementary strategy to prevent disease transmission. respiratory infections transmitted by viruses such as the flu or COVID-19″, adds Bañó.

Ismael Migarro is a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the UV and his research is focused on membrane proteins.