A proposed strategy to reduce SARS-COV-2 infection possibility - OSF

A proposed strategy to reduce SARS-COV-2 infection possibility

Arunava Bhadra1, Prabir Banik2, Ishan Ghosh3, Pranab Ghosh4 and Kabita Sarkar5

1
 High Energy & Cosmic Ray Research Centre, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, WB,
734013, India, email: aru_bhadra@yahoo.com
2
 Department of Physics, Surendra Institute of Engineering & Management, Dhukuria, Siliguri,
WB, 734009, India
3
    University Health Centre, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, WB, 741235
4
    Department of Chemistry, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, WB, 734013, India
5
 Department of Mathematics, Swami Vivekananda Institute of Science Technology, Dakshin
Gobindapur, Kolkata-700145

     Abstract: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious viral disease.
     Considering the rapid spread of the disease worldwide and lack of effective pharmaceutical
     drug to treat it, there is an urgent need to reduce infectivity of the virus by other means.
     Here we have argued that along with the prevailing measures like wearing mask,
     maintaining physical distances etc the application of glycerol/petroleum jelly/lemon juice
     on uncovered skin may be beneficial for reducing the infectivity of the coronaviruses.

1. Introduction:
The present outbreak of COVID-19, as named by World Health Organization (WHO), is
caused by the most recently discovered novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) [1]. The virus SARS-CoV-2 is supposed to spread primarily through respiratory
droplets emitted by an infected person while coughing, sneezing etc [2-6]. Though tiny droplets
end up on surfaces and dry out quickly but the viruses remain active and it is thought that a
nearby people may inhale a SARS-CoV-2 virus which was present in the so emitted droplets.
Several analysis have already shown that masks and respirators reduce coronavirus spread by
blocking the droplets. In the present work we explore to reduce infection probability of so
emitted coronavirus either by lessening the virus attachment power on human skin and/or by
dissolving, at least partly, virus lipid and/or dissolving (partly) spike proteins of the virus. In this
regard we argue that application of glycerol/petroleum jelly on uncovered skin, lips nose may be
an additional measure to reduce SARS-CoV-2 attack.

2. A brief review on coronavirus:
Members of a large class of family Coronaviridae and subfamily Coronavirinae (order
Nidovirales), coronaviruses are generally classified into four genera: α-coronaviruses, β-
coronaviruses, -coronaviruses, and -coronaviruses based on phylogenetic clustering [7-10].
The infections caused by former two classes may lead severe acute respiratory illness in humans
that includes Covid-19. The SERS-COV, MERS-COV (that led Middle East respiratory
syndrome) and SERS-COV-2 belong to β-coronaviruses subgroup.

Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA genome viruses having sizes 65–125 nm in
diameter. The RNA and protein molecules of coronavirus are self-assembled with fatty bilayer
envelope (lipids) [5,6]. They have the largest genome (sizes ranging from 26 to 32 kilobases)
among all RNA viruses. The RNA of coronaviruses is covered by a helical capsid formed by the
nucleocapsid protein (N). The RNA and N protein system is surrounded by a lipid envelope.
Generally three structural proteins are found to associate with the lipid envelope: The membrane
protein (M), the envelope protein (E) and the spike protein (S). The former two proteins are
involved in virus assembly whereas the last one (S-protein), which is characterize as spikes on
the outer surface of the envelope, is responsible for attachment and entry of the virus into the
host cell [9-10].

As mentioned earlier, the transmission of a coronavirus from an infected person is primarily
occurred through respiratory droplets. A droplet from infected person may land in the open skin
or cloth of a nearby person. The proteins and fatty acids in the dead cells on the surface of the
skin are likely to interact through hydrogen bonds and the hydrophilic interactions and thereby
catch on the surface. Subsequently, the virus can get transferred close to respiratory system (such
as face) mainly through hand touching. Another common (indirect) way of infection by
coronavirus is through touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and subsequently
touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

3. Proposal and rationale
In the present work we concentrate on the issue how the probability of coronavirus infection can
be reduced. Ideally it would be best if the landed coronaviruses on skin/cloths can be disinfected
by disrupting coronavirus assembly. However, from a pragmatic point of view we consider the
following strategies:
i) reduction of attachment power of coronaviruses on human skin:
ii) dissolving (at least partial) lipid and/or spike protein of coronavirus

We argue below that these targets may be achieved by application of Glycerol
(Glycerin)/petroleum jelly on uncovered skin.

Glycerol (1,2.3-propanetriol, CH,OHCHOHCH,OH,) which is trihydric alcohol (also known as
glycyl alcohol), is a versatile chemical. A colorless, nontoxic viscous liquid Glycerol is
environmentally safe chemical and is stable under most conditions. On the other hand petroleum

jelly is a mixture of hydrocarbons; the primary hydrocarbon is 1,1,2-Trimethylbenzeindole
(C15H15N).

Glycerol is a hygroscopic chemical; it absorbs water from the surroundings, can bind and retain
water due to its high degree of hydroxyl groups and is an effective moisturizer agents [11]. So is
petroleum jelly. Both glycerol and petroleum jelly create a layer of moisture on the skin and thus
under such a situation the coronavirus may not be able to interact with proteins of dead cell of
the skin. It is also stated that Glycerol breaks down the proteins in dead skin cells and removes
them from skin As a result the attachment power of coronavirus on skin is expected to be
degraded substantially if Glycerol is applied.

Lipids are generally soluble in non-polar or weakly polar organic solvents including alcohols.
Glycerol is capable of being reacted as an alcohol. It is a known solvent for fats [12]. However, it
is generally not able to dissolve lipids. This is because the O-H bond in glycerol is polar due to
difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen atom. So it is not very likely that
glycerol will directly harm the lipid membranes of coronavirus. In contrast Petroleum jelly is a
non-polar solvent. The interaction of lipids of coronavirus with petroleum jelly thus should be
investigated. However, the lipid membranes of coronavirus may not remain stable for a long time
under the moist condition created by glycerol or petroleum jelly.

The spikes from the envelope, which lead coronaviruses the appearance of having coronas, are
glycoprotein (covalently bound carbohydrate) [13]. In typical glycoprotein carbohydrates takes
the form of oligosaccharide chain(s) (irregularly branched). Glycoproteins are more hydrophilic
than simple proteins [14]. So in the moist condition, as may be created by application of
glycerol/petroleum jelly, the spikes of coronavirus may dissolve (at least partly) and the
coronavirus may lose its infection capability. The solubility of protein strongly depends on pH
factor. Earlier it was reported [15] that infectivity of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), which
belongs to α-coronaviruses family, substantially decreases at pH 8.0 and 37 o C. So mixture of
salt-water or baking soda-water with glycerol may reduce the infectivity of SARS-COV-2
further. However, high pH value solution is not recommended for application on skin over a long
period since naturally normal skin is slightly acidic in nature. The use of Lemon juice on
uncovered skin also may work. Previously it was reported that SARS-COV is inactivated at low
(

The issue of cloths is also important. A wet cotton fabric on the top of a water-proof cloth can be
a choice as the evidences suggest virus is short-lived in high humidity environment [17]. More
investigation is needed on this aspect before taking a final call.

4. Discussion and Conclusion:
No one knows when Covid 19 will disappear; it may even never go away. Researcher around the
world are pushing forward with efforts to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 but one cannot
ensure that there will be an effective vaccine in future. The success of efforts on effective
treatment of Covid-19 is also uncertain. We may have to live with SARS-CoV-2, at least for
some times now and therefore we have to learn how to live with coronavirus.
The prevailing measures i..e., maintaining physical distances, wearing mask, frequent cleaning of
hands and face with soap/alcohol are necessary to minimize Covid-19 infection. As an additional
measure application of glycerol/petroleum jelly on uncovered skin is proposed. Such an
application has another benefit: Frequent application of soap/alcohol lead dissolution of fat from
the skin surface [18]. Consequently the hydration status of stratum corneum is affected leading to
a dry and squamous skin. Application of glycerol/petroleum jelly should assist to recover the
hydration status of the skin.

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