Mucolitic, Alkaline and Antiviral Properties of Potassium Hydroxide

Abstract

Introduction: Although ash has been used for treatment and cleaning among the people since Avicenna, its use for therapeutic purposes is not common in modern medicine. The main ingredient of ash is potassium hydroxide (KOH).Methods: In this paper, the antiviral properties of KOH were studied in vivo and in vitro conditions in mucolytic, alkaline and enveloped viruses that cause respiratory tract disease. For this purpose, a 6-stage study was planned. The physicochemical properties of the highest dose of KOH, whose caustic properties are well known, that can be used orally in humans, and the changes in the structure of mucus were investigated. Then, interactions of KOH with the membrane phospholipid bilayer complex, mucin 5AC, corona viruses spike glycoprotein, TMPRSS2 and human ACE2 (hACE2) receptors, and neuraminidase active site in influenza virus were investigated in silico, and the toxicity and beneficial properties of KOH in cells, both in vitro and in vivo, were evaluated.Results: It has been shown that at the applied doses, KOH has a mucolytic effect and increases the pH of the environment in mucus. It has been shown to prolong life span in cell culture and have no toxicity, and in the in silico study it binds to the hydrophilic part of the cell membrane, corona virus spike glycoprotein, TMPRSS2 hACE2 receptor and neuraminidase active site in influenza virus. Oral use of KOH in the form of a spray in mice had no toxic effects on the mucosa and the inhaler application has a mucolytic effect by decreasing the viscosity of mucus in the respiratory tract.Conclusion: In light of these findings, KOH can be mucolytic, alkaline, and antiviral for enveloped viruses in the respiratory tract.

The Interactions of Potassium Hydroxide in the Vicinity of Connective Disulfide Bonds of the Fab Regions of Some Human Immunoglubulins: Preliminary Computational Implications for Affinity on Cys-Cys Disulfide Bridges

“…In a previous KOH study, KOH inhalation decreased malondialdehyde levels and increased superoxide dismutase levels in aged mice, and the absence of histological pathological findings with KOH administration may support the functional part of the proteomic study (11).…”

“…Very remarkable results have been obtained in studies on the antiviral effectiveness of KOH. In this study, KOH was buffered at the highest pH (0.9% NaCl solution, pH range 8.9-9.1) that can be taken orally and inhaled (11). This solution is compatible with interstitial tissue fluid.…”

“…In vitro studies have shown the mucolytic activity of KOH in respiratory human mucus samples with its alkalizing, surface tension reducing, mucus contact angle reducing effect. In addition, exergonic binding energies to the envelope glycerophosphate structure for enveloped viruses, to the Coronavirus spike glycoprotein active site, to the human AGE2 active site and to the neurominidase active site for the Hemophilus Influenza virus were determined (11).…”

“…It has been shown in in vivo studies that studies with KOH prolong the life span in human fibroblast cell culture at different stages; It has been determined that it does not cause histopathological findings in oral tissue and lung tissue in young and old mice, positively affects oxidative stress markers and has a mucolytic effect in bronchoalveolar lavage (11).…”

“…In a previous study, it was observed that inhalation potassium hydroxide (KOH) administration positively supported oxidative stress in the lungs of mice (11). KOH is a reactive molecule that is interested in disulfide bonds (12).…”