MegaViron™ Form & Function

Our immune system operates in two ways: the innate and adaptive branches. The innate response requires cellular and humoral responses (natural killer cells and immunoglobulins). Ingredients such as zinc helps with expression of immunoglobulins. MegaViron supports the adaptive immune system by promoting healthy cell production. This process helps to remove and reduce distractions from the immune system. T regulatory cells are key here. This system must be functioning at a high level to ensure major pathogens are destroyed by the immune system. A healthy immune system is dictated by the gut microbiome. In fact, the gut is home to about 70% of immune cells and acts as the motherboard of the entire immune system.

Applied Research & Clinical Studies

MegaViron contains a powerful collection of herbs all with significant research to support their use. Here is a sneak peek at some of it:

• N-acetylcysteine significantly reduced the incidence of clinically apparent disease of A/H1N1 virus influenza infection in humans (2). 
• Zinc supplementation reduced incidence of acute lower respiratory infection dengue viral infection duration in children and reduced the length of hospital stay (3, 4).
• Curcumin inhibits viral entry, DNA replication, and gene expression of a number of important viral enzymes such as protease and integrase, which are necessary for viral proliferation. Curcumin also disturbs the viral envelope and impairs viral binding to plasma membranes, limiting viral entry and cell-to-cell spread (7,9). 
  • It’s been shown to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome by preventing K+ efflux in vitro, reduced IL-1β secretion, caspase-1 activation, and prevented high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in vivo (5). 
  • 12-week supplementation with curcumin increases the expression of c-FLIPL and c-FLIPs in patients with HTLV-1 which may improve apoptosis of virally infected cells (6).
  • Curcumin reduces severity of the flu in mice, reduces lung damage and impairs NF-kb pathways and inflammatory cytokine production (8).
• Quercetin significantly reduced URTI incidence via Natural killer cell activity (NKCA), PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (PHA-LP), polymorphonuclear oxidative-burst activity (POBA), and salivary IgA output (sIgA) (10). Quercetin did not affect liver enzymes, but reduced viral load in some patients (i.e. ‘responders’) with Hepatitis C (11)
• Sea buckthorn berries have a reductive effect on CRP, a marker of inflammation (13) likely due to being effective at quenching free radicals (15). Supplementation of sea buckthorn capsules for 90 days significantly increased in SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) by 11% and GSH (Glutathione) by 4%. There was a significant reduction in MDA (Malondialdehyde) by 15% (14). It also provides selective mobilization of stem cell types involved in regenerative and reparative functions (12)

• Baicalin, the active compound in Chinese skullcap, may promote Treg cell differentiation and regulatory activity and may serve as a promising natural immune-suppressive compound for treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases (16)

• T. cordifolia significantly decreases all symptoms of allergic rhinitis (18). It increases lysozyme activity of macrophages which leads to bacteriocidal impacts against E. coli (19). T. cordifolia activated natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and B cells; enhanced the synthesis of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40, IL-18, IFN- γ, TNF-α and MCP-1 (20)

• Boswellia serrata significantly improved symptoms of bronchial asthma (21). An active compound called AKBA inhibits NF-kB pathway and showed the ability to influence the regulatory and effector T-cell compartments (22). Boswellic increases lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytosis, iInhibits activation of NF-kB, down-regulates TNFa, and decreases levels of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IFN gamma (23).

• Andrographolide/Andrographis is effective in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (27). It exhibits immunomodulatory effects by effectively enhancing cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells, phagocytosis, and antibody-dependent cell- mediated cytotoxicity (24). Andrographis administration inhibited viral adsorption onto red blood cells, directly interfered with viral hemagglutinin, and blocked binding to cellular receptors (25).

• Stinging nettle induces cytokine production through a specific pattern of T-lymphocyte activity and seems to have anti-viral qualities. In vitro experiments with human cells show it blocking the actions of HIV, cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus. Nettle polysaccharides appear to stimulate tumor necrosis factor and T-lymphocyte activity, aiding immune system response (30). Additionally, stinging nettle increases CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the thymus, increases CD4+ cells, monocytes, and total T lymphocytes in the blood, and promotes differentiation of CD4− CD8− T lymphocytes toward CD4+ CD8+ T lymphocytes (28). It likely inhibits SARS-CoV infection by targeting early stages of the replication cycle, namely, adsorption or penetration (29).
• Olive leaf extract reduces duration, but not frequency, of respiratory illness in high school athletes (31). It has been shown to increase IFN-γ production, which is associated to higher CD8+ and natural killer cell populations. Olive leaf extract promotes equilibrium between T regulatory cells and Th17 cells as evidenced by unmodified levels of interleukin (IL)-IL-10 and IL-17, respectively (32). Olive leaf extract could be used as a potential source of promising natural antivirals, or used to design other related antiviral agents (33). 

• Ginseng supplementation is safe, well tolerated. It has the following exhibits immunostimulatory effects:
  •  effective for preventing acute respiratory infection due to influenza and RSV (34). 
  • enhances phagocytic activity of macrophages and natural killer cell functions
  • increases production of nitric oxide
  • induces antigen-specific IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody responses when administered orally or intraperitoneally
  • significantly enhances serum specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b responses to H3N2 influenza virus
  • promotes the generation of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) through the activation of transcription factor, FoxP3 (35).
• Reishi beta-glucans supplementation stimulates cellular and humoral immune reaction resulting in lower viral load (38). Daily supplementation significantly reduces psychological stress scores and lowers the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (36, 37)