Virucidal activity and mechanism of action of cetylpyridinium chloride against SARS-CoV-2

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, medicine, and pathology Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 800 - 804
• Main Authors: Okamoto, Nako, Saito, Akatsuki, Okabayashi, Tamaki, Komine, Akihiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2022; sian AOMS, ASOMP, JSOP, JSOMS, JSOM, and JAMI. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Antiviral; Cetylpyridinium chloride; COVID-19; Original Research; SARS-CoV-2; Virus inactivation; COVID-19; Antiviral; SARS-CoV-2; Virus inactivation; Cetylpyridinium chloride; virus inactivation; cetylpyridinium chloride; antiviral
• ISSN: 2212-5558; 2212-5566
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2022.04.001

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Recent studies have shown the importance of the throat and salivary glands as sites of virus replication and transmission. The viral host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is broadly enriched in epithelial cells of the salivary glands and oral mucosae. Oral care products containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as a bactericidal ingredient are known to exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. However, the exact mechanism of action remains unknown. This study examined the antiviral activity of CPC against SARS-CoV-2 and its inhibitory effect on the interaction between the viral spike (S) protein and ACE2 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CPC (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.3%) effectively inactivated SARS-CoV-2 within the contact times (20 and 60 s) in directions for use of oral care products in vitro. The binding ability of both the S protein and ACE2 were reduced by CPC. Our results suggest that CPC inhibits the interaction between S protein and ACE2, and thus, reduces infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and suppresses viral adsorption.