Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray
Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS)
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in many different biological pathways. It is a potent vasodilator relaxing the smooth muscle that surrounds the vasculature, it has been used therapeutically in a variety of ways from inhalation to topical administration. Its vasodilating effects make it an effective target for hypertension and there are several different drugs commercially available isosorbide mononitrate and nitroglycerin to name a few. NO supplements are also popular over the counter products including most pre-workout supplements you will find at the GNC. They are very effective at increasing blood flow and maximizing your workout potential. NO has also been investigated for wound healing since it has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
It was long thought to play an important role in the host defense against viruses that cause the common cold. Our nasal cavities are a wonder of evolution. They filter, warm and humidify the air we breathe, at the same time NO is generated in the sinuses where it may be helping to block many different types of viruses. Covid-19 has been shown to accelerate nitric oxide deficiency, perhaps circumventing this natural defense. The promise is that the nitric oxide nasal spray will kill the virus in the upper airways preventing incubation and spread. There has been a study published with some interesting positive results especially when combined with a lack of adverse events, however it is a small sample size only 80 patients and it was funded clearly by companies with blatant commercial interest. If effective this could be a big deal for covid prevention as it could give us another front to battle virus transmission. In vulnerable populations this could provide an additional layer of protection on top of their vaccinations.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and SaNOtize are already planning to distribute NONS to India, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and others. Phase III trials should be coming out soon to provide further evidence for their product. Their trademarked NORS Nitric Oxide Releasing Solution is reported to inactivate 99.99% of SARs-Cov-2 within two minutes. Dr. Ferid Murad a physician, pharmacologist and co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in physiology for “their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system” currently sits on the SaNOtize board of directors. They believe it may have several therapeutic targets including the regular flu virus, nail fungus, sinusitis and diabetic foot ulcers. While NONS is indicated for Covid-19 treatment in other countries, if it works, imagine what an over-the-counter version for prophylactic use could do?
Jacob Hyatt Pharm D.
Father of three, Pharmacist, Realtor, Landlord, Freelance health and medicine reporter
hyattjn@gmail.comwww.Jeffersongroverva.com
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Further Reading and References
https://sanotize.com/
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1998/murad/biographical/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32387333/
Martel J, Ko YF, Young JD, Ojcius DM. Could nasal nitric oxide help to mitigate the severity of COVID-19? Microbes Infect. 2020 May-Jun;22(4-5):168-171. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.05.002. Epub 2020 May 6. PMID: 32387333; PMCID: PMC7200356.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8117664/
Winchester S, John S, Jabbar K, John I. Clinical efficacy of nitric oxide nasal spray (NONS) for the treatment of mild COVID-19 infection. J Infect. 2021 Aug;83(2):237-279. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.05.009. Epub 2021 May 13. PMID: 33992687; PMCID: PMC8117664.
Burton MJ, Clarkson JE, Goulao B, Glenny AM, McBain AJ, Schilder AG, Webster KE, Worthington HV. Use of antimicrobial mouthwashes (gargling) and nasal sprays by healthcare workers to protect them when treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 16;9(9):CD013626. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013626.pub2. PMID: 32936949; PMCID: PMC8202127.
Ferguson EA, Eccles R. Changes in nasal nitric oxide concentration associated with symptoms of common cold and treatment with a topical nasal decongestant. Acta Otolaryngol. 1997 Jul;117(4):614-7. doi: 10.3109/00016489709113447. PMID: 9288222.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7362842/
Adusumilli NC, Zhang D, Friedman JM, Friedman AJ. Harnessing nitric oxide for preventing, limiting and treating the severe pulmonary consequences of COVID-19. Nitric Oxide. 2020 Oct 1;103:4-8. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2020.07.003. Epub 2020 Jul 15. PMID: 32681986; PMCID: PMC7362842
Nitric Oxide Therapy for Diabetic Wound Healing (nih.gov).
Malone-Povolny MJ, Maloney SE, Schoenfisch MH. Nitric Oxide Therapy for Diabetic Wound Healing. Adv Healthc Mater. 2019;8(12):e1801210. doi:10.1002/adhm.201801210
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32425647/
Green SJ. Covid-19 accelerates endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide deficiency. Microbes Infect. 2020 May-Jun;22(4-5):149-150. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.05.006. Epub 2020 May 16. PMID: 32425647; PMCID: PMC7229726.