New insights into the microscopic interactions associated with the physical mechanism of action of highly diluted biologics

Antiviral Activity of Technologically Processed Antibodies to CD4 Receptor against Influenza Infection

The antiviral activity of technologically processed antibodies to CD4 receptor was evaluated a model of sublethal A/California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-induced influenza infection in female BALB/c mice. The technologically processed antibodies increased animal survival rate by 50% in comparison with the placebo group (p<0.05), which correlated with significant inhibition of virus replication in the lungs (p<0.05). The reference drug Tamiflu increased mouse survival rate (by 47%), decreased the virus titer in the lungs, and prevented body weight loss (p<0.05 in comparison with the placebo group by all parameters). The intrinsic protective activity of technologically processed antibodies to CD4 receptor was demonstrated, which manifested in a decrease in viral load in the lower respiratory tract and an increase in the survival rate.

Non-specific prevention of COVID-19 during vaccination against a new coronavirus infection: results of a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Background. A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the phase III efficacy and safety of Ergoferon for the non-specific prevention of COVID-19 during vaccination against a new coronavirus infection was conducted (permission of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation №559 dated 22.09.2021; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05069649). Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of Ergoferon for the non-specific prevention of COVID-19 during vaccination against a new coronavirus infection. Materials and methods. From October 2021 to April 2022, 1,057 patients aged 18 to 92 years who received component I of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine were included. After screening, 1,050 patients were randomized into 2 groups: 526 people received Ergoferon according to the prophylactic scheme 1 tablet per administration 2 times a day for 3 weeks, the drug is not allowed during the meal and should be kept in the mouth without swallowing, until completely dissolved; 524 patients received a placebo according to the Ergoferon scheme. The total duration of participation in the study was 5 weeks + 3 days. The primary endpoint is the number of RT-PCR confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the presence of symptoms during participation in the study. An additional criterion of effectiveness is the proportion of those hospitalized with COVID-19. The safety assessment included consideration of the presence and nature of adverse events (AEs), their severity, relationship with the drug intake, and outcome. Statistical data processing was carried out using SAS 9.4 with the calculation of the exact Fisher test, 2 test, CochraneMantelHensel test, Wilcoxon test and other parameters. Results. The ITT (Intention-to-treat) and PP [Per Protocol] efficacy analysis included data from 1,050 [970] patients: 526 [489] people Ergoferon group and 524 [481] people Placebo group. The primary endpoint the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 3 times less compared to placebo 7 (1.43%) vs 22 (4.57%), respectively (p=0.0046; [p=0.0041]). Taking Ergoferon reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by more than 3 times in vaccinated patients during 5 weeks of the vaccination and post-vaccination periods (p=0.0046 [p=0.0041]). Of the COVID-19 patients in the Ergoferon group (1.33%) nobody was hospitalized. According to the Post hoc analysis, Ergoferon reduces the risk of COVID-19 disease by 4 times in the period between the components I and II of the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine (p=0.0066 [p=0.006]). The frequency of AEs in both groups did not differ. There were no registered AEs associated with the drug with a reliable degree. There was a high level of patient compliance and good tolerability. Conclusion. Ergoferon is an effective and safe drug for the prevention of COVID-19 in people vaccinated against a new coronavirus infection.

Technologically-Treated Polyclonal Affinity-Purified Antibodies to the Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Brain Specific S-100 Protein and Histamine in Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: Results of the Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kolofort® (a complex medicine containing technologically processed forms of antibodies to S-100 protein, tumor necrosis factor-α and histamine) in the management of functional dyspepsia (FD) in outpatient clinical practice.

Methods: Outpatients (N = 309) at the age of 18–45 in whom FD was diagnosed according to the Rome IV criteria were enrolled in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized in two groups receiving Kolofort® or placebo 2 tablets tid for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was a change in the FD symptoms severity score according to the Gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS) at week 8. ITT and [PP] analysis were performed.

Results: at week 8 the reduction in GIS sum score was observed in Kolofort® group and placebo group (by 7.2 ± 3.3 [7.2 ± 3.4] and 6.3 ± 4.6 [6.2 ± 4.5], respectively, p = 0.041 [0.039]). The proportion of cases with GIS score reduction by ≥4 was 88,1 % [88.6 %] and 79.1 % [79.6 %] in Kolofort® group and placebo group, respectively (p = 0.046 [p = 0.051]). None of the patients in Kolofort® group had progression of FD symptoms or required additional therapy. There were 29 adverse events (AEs) recorded in 25 patients including 16 cases in 13 (8.6 %) patients in Kolofort® group and 13 AEs in 12 (7.6 %) patients in placebo group.

Conclusion: the clinical trial demonstrates the positive effect of Kolofort® in FD with a favorable safety profile.

 

Diclofenac Ion Hydration: Experimental and Theoretical Search for Anion Pairs

Self-assembly of organic ions in aqueous solutions is a hot topic at the present time, and substances that are well-soluble in water are usually studied. In this work, aqueous solutions of sodium diclofenac are investigated, which, like most medicinal compounds, is poorly soluble in water. Classical MD modeling of an aqueous solution of diclofenac sodium showed equilibrium between the hydrated anion and the hydrated dimer of the diclofenac anion. The assignment and interpretation of the bands in the UV, NIR, and IR spectra are based on DFT calculations in the discrete-continuum approximation. It has been shown that the combined use of spectroscopic methods in various frequency ranges with classical MD simulations and DFT calculations provides valuable information on the association processes of medical compounds in aqueous solutions. Additionally, such a combined application of experimental and calculation methods allowed us to put forward a hypothesis about the mechanism of the effect of diclofenac sodium in high dilutions on a solution of diclofenac sodium.

Interaction between Highly Diluted Samples, Protein Solutions and Water in a Controlled Magnetic Field

We have previously shown that water incubated in a weak combined magnetic field (CMF) increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils. Adding high dilutions (HD) of water into the same system resulted in a similar effect. HD of antibodies to interferon-gamma (HD Abs to IFNγ) were shown to emit electromagnetic radiation and affect hydrogen bond energies. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HD of substances (donor) on the properties of aqueous solutions (acceptor). The donor and acceptor were incubated for 1 h in a controlled magnetic field so that the walls of the two cuvettes were in close contact. As a control, the acceptor was incubated under the same conditions but without the donor. An aliquot of the acceptor solution was then added to mouse neutrophils, and ROS levels were measured using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Joint incubation led to a 185–356% increase (p < 0.05) in ROS production, depending on the type of acceptor sample. The magnitude of the effect depended on the parameters of the magnetic field. In a CMF, the effect was strongest, completely disappearing in a magnetic vacuum or with shielding. These findings are important for understanding the physical mechanism of action of HD preparations, which opens up opportunities for expanding their practical applications.

Highly Diluted Antibodies to eNOS Restore Endothelium Function in Aortic Rings From Hypertensive Rats

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) as a vaso- and cardio-protective agent could reduce vasomotor dysfunction in different cardiovascular diseases. One of the current therapeutics targeted at NO availability in the vascular wall are highly diluted antibodies to endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS). This drug has previously shown its endothelium-protective effect and effectiveness in reducing hypertension. Current study was dedicated to evaluate the direct impact of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS on the vessel constriction and dilation ex vivo.

Methods

For that purpose, we used thoracic aortas dissected from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in the presence of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS (1 mL) was examined after phenylephrine-induced pre-constriction of the aorta rings in response to gradually increased acetylcholine concentration (1 nM to 10 µM).

Results

Highly diluted antibodies to eNOS enhanced acetylcholine-induced relaxation in a statistically significant manner. Moreover, it was demonstrated that observed effect was similar to perindopril, a well-known angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, which works through relaxing and widening blood vessels.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that highly diluted antibodies to eNOS restored impaired endothelium function, as demonstrated by increased relaxation of SHR rats aorta rings. The revealed results suggest beneficial effect of highly diluted antibodies to eNOS to ameliorate hypertension and related diseases.

Optical Properties of Crystalline Lactose Fluidized with Dilutions of Various Substances in the Terahertz Frequency Range

Lactose is a commonly used component of pharmaceutical medications in tablet form. It was previously shown that lactose changes conformationally after saturation in fluidized beds with active pharmaceutical ingredients obtained by repeated dilution of antibodies to interferon-gamma in combination with an external intensive vibration treatment. Moreover, it was revealed that these solutions are self-organized dispersed systems in which nano-objects are formed. Their biological activity and mechanism of action were previously established as well. The current work was dedicated to investigating the optical properties of fluidized lactose powders in the terahertz frequency range. Spectral analyses of powders of crystalline lactose saturated in fluidized beds with a diluted solution of either glycine buffer, antibodies to interferon-gamma, or water were carried out, intact lactose served as a control. All powders were tableted before testing. In the course of the study, the macroscopic parameters of the tablets were established, at which they had a stable shape and their THz optical properties had no parasitic diffraction losses. These tablets were analyzed using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the frequency range of 0.2–2.6 THz. The differentiation between the spectra was conducted using a principal component analysis. The differences between intact lactose and the lactose saturated with any of studied solutions were demonstrated. Additionally, lactose saturated with solutions of multiple dilutions of a substance (antibodies or glycine buffer) differed not only from intact lactose, but also from lactose saturated with a diluted solution of water. Moreover, discrimination of lactose formulations saturated with different substances (antibodies or glycine buffer) was also possible. Additionally, intact lactose differed from lactose saturated with diluted water. The methods reported could be useful for the quality control of the medications based on the technology of repeated dilution of an original substance.

Efficacy and Safety of Ergoferon in Children from 6 Months to 6 Years Old with Acute Respiratory Viral Infections in Contemporary Outpatient Practice: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ergoferon in combination with symptomatic therapy in children from 6 months to 6 years old with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in contemporary outpatient practice, an international, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial was performed. Derived by technological treatment of antibodies to interferon gamma, histamine, and CD4, Ergoferon was previously proved to modulate its molecular targets promoting effective antiviral protection. The data of 282 patients with oral temperature ≥38.0°C plus mild to moderate severity of flu-like nonspecific and nasal/throat/chest symptoms were included in intention-to-treat analysis (n = 140, Ergoferon group; n = 142, placebo group). Time to alleviation of all ARI symptoms was the primary endpoint, and 8 outcome measures were estimated as the secondary endpoints. Respiratory viruses were confirmed in 57.1% (Ergoferon) and 54.9% (Placebo) of patients. Compared to placebo, Ergoferon reduced time to alleviation of all ARI symptoms (4.5 ± 1.7 versus 5.2 ± 2.2 days in placebo; p=0.026) including fever (2.8 ± 1.5 vs 3.4 ± 2.0; p=0.031), flu-like nonspecific (4.0 ± 1.8 vs 4.7 ± 2.2, p=0.022), and nasal/throat/chest (4.3 ± 2.0 versus 5.0 ± 2.3; p=0.024) symptoms. Ergoferon add-on therapy decreased the mean total symptom severity score (according to 4-point scale for each symptom), ARI severity, frequency of antipyretic use, and percentage of complication requiring antibiotics and increased the percentage of recovered patients. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) in the Ergoferon group was significantly lower compared to the placebo group (7.0% versus 18.8%; p=0.004) including infectious diseases (3.5% vs 12.5%; p=0.008). In the Ergoferon group, AEs were mild or moderate. In 8 (57.1%) cases, AEs were unrelated to Ergoferon, in 5 (35.7%), the relationship was uncertain, and in 1 (7.1%), it was possible (mild rash on the face). Ergoferon treatment is beneficial for infants and young children with ARI in contemporary outpatient practice. Being well-tolerated, Ergoferon increases the symptomatic therapy effectiveness and improves the patient condition and disease outcomes.

Antibodies Processed Using High Dilution Technology Distantly Change Structural Properties of IFNγ Aqueous Solution

Terahertz spectroscopy allows for the analysis of vibrations corresponding to the large-scale structural movements and collective dynamics of hydrogen-bonded water molecules. Previously, differences had been detected in the emission spectra of interferon-gamma (IFNγ) solutions surrounded by extremely diluted solutions of either IFNγ or antibodies to IFNγ without direct contact compared to a control. Here we aimed to analyse the structural properties of water in a sample of an aqueous solution of IFNγ via terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Tubes with the IFNγ solution were immersed in fluidised lactose saturated with test samples (dilutions of antibodies to IFNγ or control) and incubated at 37 °C for 1, 1.5-2, 2.5-3, or 3.5-4 h. Fluidised lactose was chosen since it is an excipient in the manufacture of drugs based on diluted antibodies to IFNγ. After incubation, spectra were recorded within a wavenumber range of 10 to 110 cm-1 with a resolution of 4 cm-1. Lactose saturated with dilutions of antibodies to IFNγ (incubated for more than 2.5 h) changed the structural properties of an IFNγ aqueous solution without direct contact compared to the control. Terahertz spectra revealed stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonds and an increase in the relaxation time of free and weakly bound water molecules. The methodology developed on the basis of THz-TDS could potentially be applied to quality control of pharmaceuticals based on extremely diluted antibodies.