Carrageenan has a virus-trapping capability, binding to many cold/respiratory viruses such as influenza virus, rhinovirus, and coronavirus.* Carrageenan-containing nasal sprays have been shown to reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms as well as the relapse of these symptoms.**
In a recent clinical study, a carrageenan containing nasal spray showed significant efficacy in preventing viruses in health care workers managing patients with virus disease with a risk reduction of around 80 %.***
*a) Buck CB et al., PLOS Pathogens 2006, 2, e69; b) Gonzalez ME et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1987, 31, 1388; c) Grassauer A et al., Virology Journal 2008, 5, 107; d) Leibbrandt A et al., PLoS ONE 2010, 5, e14320; e) Talarico LB et al., Virology 2007, 363, 473.
** a) Eccles R et al., Respiratory Research 2010, 11; b) Eccles R et al., Respiratory Research 2015, 16, 121; c) Fazekas T et al., BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012, 12, 147; d) Koenighofer M et al., Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine 2014, 9, 57; e) Ludwig M et al., Respiratory Research 2013, 14.
*** Figueroa JM et al., International Journal of General Medicine 2021, 14, 6277.