Inhalational Ethanol Therapy (Spray and Nebulized ETHO) in COVID-19 Treatment
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2021-12-16
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cytokine storm is the cause of many deaths in COVID -19. The antiviral in-vitro effects of
ethanol with solving the fat layer and destroying the glycoprotein of coronavirus have
already been established. Proven antiviral effects of ethyl alcohol on extracellular surfaces
have been demonstrated by researchers. Immunological studies have shown that acute
administration of ethanol can have immunomodulatory effects on innate immunity system
mediated by TNFamRNA protein and mitogen-activated protein kinas and reduce cytokine storm by
reducing inflammatory factors such as -TLR, TLR, TL-9, interleukin-6 and TL9. It also helps
with the chemotaxis of bronchoalveolar macrophages. Other demonstrated effects of ethanol are
including: inhibition of virus replication by inhibition of RNA-dependent polymerase, the
bronchial dilation by relaxing their involuntary smooth muscles, sedating and relaxation of
the participant, muscular analgesic effects.
Ethanol administration has previously been reported for the treatment of methanol poisoning,
fat embolism, prevention of preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, and pulmonary edema. The
histological safety of inhalation ethanol therapy in the lungs and respiratory tracts of
rabbits has been shown by Anna Castro-Balado et al. Ethanol is approved by the Food and Drug
Administration. Given these effects of ethanol on virus wall destruction, inhibition of
proliferation, and inhibition of immune hyperactivity, the question now is, "Can ethanol
inhalation therapy be effective in controlling COVID-19?" There is no a prior knowledge of
the inhalation ethanol therapy in COVID-19. This idea was first suggested and published one
month after COVID-19 pandemic in Iran (February 2020). To find the answer, a clinical trial
was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of ethanol therapy on clinical state and
prognosis of participants. The study was approved by the Medical University of Isfahan,
research and ethics committees and is registered at https://irct.ir/trial/58201.