In a study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that a hypertonic saline solution inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2. They found that, “[The] data show that 1.2% NaCl inhibited virus replication by 90%, achieving 100% of inhibition at 1.5%.” Researchers are excited by the results because they show that a saline can be an effective, cheap option to reduce the severity and longevity of the virus. Researchers found that saline has this effect by inducing cellular processes that reduce energy stores, which hamper replication.
Machado, R. R. G., Glaser, T., Araujo, D. B., Petiz, L. L., Oliveira, D. B. L., Durigon, G. S., Leal, A. L., Pinho, J. R. R., Ferreira, L. C. S., Ulrich, H., Durigon, E. L., & Guzzo, C. R. (2021). Inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 replication by hypertonic saline solution in lung and kidney epithelial cells. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science.
