Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview.
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2004 Sep-Oct; 44(5):594-603.JA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To review the laboratory and clinical evidence of the medicinal value of zinc for the treatment of the common cold.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles identified through Medline (1980-2003) using the search terms zinc, rhinovirus, and other pertinent subject headings. Additional sources were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles.

STUDY SELECTION

By the author.

DATA EXTRACTION

By the author.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Human rhinoviruses, by attaching to the nasal epithelium via the intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) receptor, cause most colds. Ionic zinc, based on its electrical charge, also has an affinity for ICAM-1 receptor sites and may exert an antiviral effect by attaching to the ICAM-1 receptors in the rhinovirus structure and nasal epithelial cells. Clinical tests of zinc for treatment of common colds have been inconsistent, primarily because of study design, blinding, and lozenge contents. Early formulations of lozenges also were unpalatable. In three trials with similar study designs, methodologies, and efficacy assessments, zinc effectively and significantly shortened the duration of the common cold when it was administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Recent reports of trials with zinc gluconate administered as a nasal gel have supported these findings; in addition, they have shown that treatment with zinc nasal gel is effective in reducing the duration and severity of common cold symptoms in patients with established illness.

CONCLUSION

Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms. Additional clinical and laboratory evaluations are warranted to further define the role of ionic zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms through which zinc exerts its symptom-relieving effects.

Links

PMC Free PDF

Authors+Show Affiliations

Hulisz D

School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. dth4@cwru.edu

MeSH

Chemistry, PharmaceuticalCommon ColdGluconatesHumansIntercellular Adhesion Molecule-1Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicRhinovirusTreatment OutcomeZinc Acetate

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15496046

Citation

Hulisz, Darrell. "Efficacy of Zinc Against Common Cold Viruses: an Overview." Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, vol. 44, no. 5, 2004, pp. 594-603.

Hulisz D. Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2004;44(5):594-603.

Hulisz, D. (2004). Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA, 44(5), 594-603.

Hulisz D. Efficacy of Zinc Against Common Cold Viruses: an Overview. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2004 Sep-Oct;44(5):594-603. PubMed PMID: 15496046.

* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case

TY - JOUR T1 - Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview. A1 - Hulisz,Darrell, PY - 2004/10/22/pubmed PY - 2004/12/22/medline PY - 2004/10/22/entrez SP - 594 EP - 603 JF - Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA JO - J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) VL - 44 IS - 5 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To review the laboratory and clinical evidence of the medicinal value of zinc for the treatment of the common cold. DATA SOURCES: Published articles identified through Medline (1980-2003) using the search terms zinc, rhinovirus, and other pertinent subject headings. Additional sources were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: By the author. DATA EXTRACTION: By the author. DATA SYNTHESIS: Human rhinoviruses, by attaching to the nasal epithelium via the intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) receptor, cause most colds. Ionic zinc, based on its electrical charge, also has an affinity for ICAM-1 receptor sites and may exert an antiviral effect by attaching to the ICAM-1 receptors in the rhinovirus structure and nasal epithelial cells. Clinical tests of zinc for treatment of common colds have been inconsistent, primarily because of study design, blinding, and lozenge contents. Early formulations of lozenges also were unpalatable. In three trials with similar study designs, methodologies, and efficacy assessments, zinc effectively and significantly shortened the duration of the common cold when it was administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Recent reports of trials with zinc gluconate administered as a nasal gel have supported these findings; in addition, they have shown that treatment with zinc nasal gel is effective in reducing the duration and severity of common cold symptoms in patients with established illness. CONCLUSION: Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms. Additional clinical and laboratory evaluations are warranted to further define the role of ionic zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms through which zinc exerts its symptom-relieving effects. SN - 1544-3191 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15496046/full_citation DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -

Tags

Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview.J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2004 Sep-Oct; 44(5):594-603.JA