Experience Excellence with Charles Benjamin Hensley

To be submitted for publication

The case for a nasal spray derived from a botanical cocktail known to inhibit SARS CoV for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19

Charles B. Hensley, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT:  COVID-19 is a new human respiratory disease caused by the SARS CoV2.  Sars CoV2 is the sister virus of SARS CoV (the virus that causes SARS).  The potential for rapid spread of this rapidly mutating virus is extremely high, and the transmission of this virus via exposure to respiratory droplets and the contact with respiratory secretions is difficult and cumbersome to control by avoidance methods (masks, gloves etc.).  Even though the severity ofCOVID-19 and its ability to spread rapidly has prompted laboratories and pharmaceutical companies across the globe to search for an effective solution, no specific treatment or preventative has been found.   Interestingly, the major emphasis has been on developing a vaccine against SARS CoV2 but this is a long process and there are valid concerns about the effectiveness of such a vaccine.  It should be noted that antibody enhancement of disease is a potential risk of coronavirus vaccines in humans.

SARS CoV2 and SARS CoV are very similar in that they share 90 percent of their genome and they both use the same cellular receptor to infect cell  During the SARS epidemic of 2003, we developed a broad spectrum, oral liquid, anti-viral cocktail that was successfully used to treat SARS infected nurses who had contracted SARS.  The specific fractions were shown to be effective at inhibiting SARS CoV and we subsequently identified the molecular entities responsible for the anti-SARS activity.

SARS CoV2 is able to spread efficiently because of the ability of SARS CoV2 to infect and propagate in the upper respiratory tract. Essentially, once SARS CoV2 infects the upper respiratory tract, it propagates and infects others.  In some cases, SARS CoV2 infection proceeds to the lower respiratory tract where it is lethal.

Based on the mode of infection and transmission, the most reasonable approach to prevent and treat early stage COVID-19 infections is through the use of safe and effective nasal sprays.  In fact, we have previously produced a nasal spray for colds and influenza incorporating some of the components of our anti-viral cocktail with excellent results. To this end, we have started the development of a nasal spray incorporating the essential elements of our anti-viral cocktail which demonstrated inhibitory activity against SARS CoV.