Novel Approach to Treating COVID-19: Nasal Inhalation of Antiviral Microparticulate Powders

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Parma have developed a new method for treating COVID-19 by targeting the virus in the upper airways through nasal inhalation of antiviral microparticulate powders. This innovative approach aims to concentrate the medication primarily on the upper respiratory tract, where the virus replicates, reducing the risk of systemic side effects. By engineering particles suitable for aerosolization and deposition onto the upper airway epithelia, the researchers demonstrated that chloroquine diphosphate microparticles can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that nasal inhalation of antiviral microparticulate powders can effectively target early viral infection in the upper airways.
  • The researchers engineered nasal microparticulate powders of chloroquine diphosphate using spray drying, obtaining particle size, density, and morphology suitable for aerosolization and deposition onto the upper respiratory tract.
  • In vitro CqP concentrations inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication were found to be in the μM range, with virus inhibition further enhanced when cells were pre-treated with the drug powder before infection.
  • The study demonstrated that the simple nasal sniff of an antiviral aerodynamic powder could be active against airborne viral early infection, limiting the exposition of the whole body to undesired drug effects.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research.
  • The authors of the study include Eride Quarta, Sabrina Banella, Martina Brandolini, Laura Grumiro, Vittorio Sambri, Giovanna Trevisi, Ruggero Bettini, Paolo Colombo, Francesca Buttini, Fabio Sonvico, Georgeta Caraua, Alessandra Rossi, and Gaia Colombo.
  • The study found that the in vitro CqP concentrations led to concentrations within the epithelial cells between 30-70 mM.

Statistics:

  • 30-70 mM: In vitro CqP concentrations led to concentrations within the epithelial cells.
  • μM range: In vitro CqP concentrations inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication.
  • 45 minutes: The time it took for chloroquine diphosphate microparticles to deposit on rabbit nasal mucosa and achieve CqP concentrations within the epithelial cells.

Sources:

  • Nasal inhalation of antiviral microparticulate powders to target early infection of upper airways. Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 2025.
  • Drug Delivery and Translational Research can be contacted at: Springer Heidelberg, Tiergartenstrasse 17, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany.
  • (Springer - www.springer.com; Drug Delivery and Translational Research - www.springerlink.com/content/2190-393x/)
  • NewsRx. University of Parma Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Nasal inhalation of antiviral microparticulate powders to target early infection of upper airways). Chemicals & Chemistry. August 1, 2025; p 14.