Two chemicals, pyrithione and hinokitiol, can fight certain viruses by needing zinc helpers to work, and they do this by raising zinc levels inside cells—a new way to stop these viruses.

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Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

3

Community contributions welcome

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Antiviral Activity of the Zinc Ionophores Pyrithione and Hinokitiol against Picornavirus Infections

Cross-Sectional Study

In Vitro

2009 Jan

The study shows that certain chemicals need to be present all the time and rely on zinc to stop these viruses, exactly as the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Antiviral Activity of the Zinc Ionophores Pyrithione and Hinokitiol against Picornavirus Infections

Score: 3

DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01543-08

Similar Assertions

These two chemicals help zinc quickly get inside cells and go to specific spots like mitochondria. This temporary zinc boost is what makes them fight certain viruses.

3

0

88%

Two special chemicals can stop certain viruses from growing in lab tests by messing up how the viruses build their parts, which might help fight these types of viruses.

3

0

82%

A chemical called PDTC helps move zinc into cells, and this zinc helps fight off certain viruses.

0

76%