Drug Target Review: Could a nasal spray prevent COVID-19?
A UC study shows that a lipid might prevent infection and could potentially be easily administered
According to a study led by UC researchers, the lipid sphingosine may have the ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and could potentially be delivered in a nasal spray to prevent COVID-19 infections.
Researchers, led by a visiting professor in the UC Department of Surgery Erich Gulbins, MD, have examined pre-existing research into bacterial respiratory tract infections and applied the findings to COVID-19, with some success. According to the scientists, a sphingosine nasal spray could potentially prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.
“We investigated whether a specific lipid [sphingosine] is able to interfere with the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to human epithelial cells,” said Gulbins, corresponding author on the study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Featured photo of the lipid sphingosine courtesy of Jynto.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Does the president's prescription drug site actually make medications affordable?
March 20, 2026
Local 12 turned to Erwin Erhardt, PhD, economics professor in UC’s Lindner College of Business for insights on direct-to-consumer drugs.
What is a business venture?
March 20, 2026
Business ventures are ambitious pursuits in which entrepreneurs take on risk to create products and services that solve real customer problems.
Fusion reactors may be key to uncovering dark matter
March 20, 2026
Popular Mechanics highlights a new study by University of Cincinnati physicist Jure Zupan that explains how fusion reactors might create subatomic particles associated with dark matter.