Metadichol: an inhibitor of zoonotic viruses; Nipah, Lassa, and rabies

Abstract

Abstract Zoonotic viruses, such as coronaviruses, the Ebola virus, the Zika virus, Nipah, Laasa, and rabies, can be transmitted from animals to humans (1). There is a need to develop inhibitors because they can potentially prevent or treat viral infections in humans and animals (2). Metadichol® is a nanoemulsion of long-chain alcohols that is a potent inhibitor of viruses. We present the results of in vitro assays showing that it inhibits Lassa, rabies, and Nipah viruses at concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 2.6 µg/ml. It is likely that the binding of metadichol to VDR (vitamin D receptor) leads to the regulation of c-MYC (MYC Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor), which controls the expression of SP1 (SP1 transcription factor), which is the key step in controlling the viral replication gene GSPT1 (G1 to S Phase Transition 1). Since metadichol is commercially available and nontoxic, with an LD50 of more than 5000 mg/kg in rats, it could be useful in the treatment of such zoonotic diseases.