Valeo Pharma Inc (CSE:VPH) (OTCQB:VPHIF) told investors Tuesday that a newsletter from medical education platform MDBriefCase has analyzed hesperiden - the ingredient in its immune system support product Hesperco - as a possible mitigator of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The newsletter, titled, "Exploring Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Covid-19: Hesperidin vs Vitamin C,” explained that hesperidin may interfere with viral entry into host cells.
It cited a 2020 study that screened 1066 natural substances, along with 78 antiviral drugs known for their ability to bind to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Hesperidin, a flavonoid or plant metabolite, was the only compound among them that could target the binding interface between viral spike proteins and ACE-2 human receptors.
READ: Valeo Pharma says common shares now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through the Depository Trust Company in the United States
Hesperidin can also bind to 3CLpro — the main protease (read: an enzyme) responsible for the cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 peptides into functional units for virus replication and packaging within the host cells. By doing so, it may help against COVID-19 viral replication, the newsletter said.
The compound may also have use in combating the leading cause of hospitalization among coronavirus patients: the cytokine storm, an overactive immune response that can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome.
During the cytokine storm, the body releases various immune-active molecules, elevated levels of which can cause prolonged hospitalization or death when combined with a fever, the newsletter said. Hesperiden can bind with inflammatory mediators and thus may help in controlling the cyotkine storm.
"There is a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that the flavonoid hesperidin has certain properties that may prove useful in the management of COVID-19", Valeo CEO Steve Saviuk said in a statement.
"Hesperco, Valeo's unique hesperidin formulation, is the only format available where every capsule contains 500 milligrams of concentrated hesperidin. In addition to being available for online ordering on www.hesperco.com and www.amazon.ca, we anticipate that Hesperco will be available at major retailers across Canada in early 2021.”
Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel