An in-vitro study released in preprint last week has found that two components in over-the-counter Xlear nasal spray (grapefruit seed extract and xylitol) are effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study used electron microscopy at the BioCryo facility of Northwestern University to confirm its findings. According to the study, the grapefruit seed extract kills the virus, while the xylitol prevents the virus from attaching to cell walls. An author of the study, Dr. Mark Cannon, said in a press release that the study indicates Xlear would likely be effective in preventing the spread of future respiratory viruses.
The study calls for large-scale clinical trials of xylitol–grapeseed extract therapy, which is neither expensive nor difficult to obtain.
