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Lactoferrin for COVID-19
8 studies with >1,000 patients
Serious outcome risk
Lactoferrin
Control
3 studies from 3 independent teams in 2 countries show significant benefit.
COVID-19 Lactoferrin studies · October 2026
Lactoferrin was adopted in 1 country.
Covid Analysis Lactoferrin for COVID-19: real-time meta-analysis of 8 studies (Version 15)
Meta-analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 24% [-24‑53%] lower risk, without reaching statistical significance. Results are worse for Randomized Controlled Trials and higher quality studies. Early treatment is ..
Oct 16
2025
 Palacios-Rosas et al., COVID, doi:10.3390/covid5100176 COVID-19 and Lactoferrin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of lactoferrin studies for COVID-19. Authors found that lactoferrin demonstrated a significant effect in reducing fatigue among COVID-19 patients. While trends toward improvement were observed for other..
Apr 16
2025
 Morello et al., Italian Journal of Pediatrics, doi:10.1186/s13052-025-01961-5 Role of nutrient supplements in children with post-COVID condition: a retrospective preliminary observation and narrative review
Retrospective 1,243 children with COVID-19 showing lower risk of long COVID at 6 months when treated with a Multi-Element Product (MEP) containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds (magnesium 200 mg, quercetin 150 mg, curcumin ..
Nov 15
2024
 Eker et al., Frontiers in Immunology, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1402135 The potential of lactoferrin as antiviral and immune-modulating agent in viral infectious diseases
Review of the potential of lactoferrin as an antiviral and immune-modulating agent against various viruses, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2. Authors highlight lactoferrin's ability to interfere with virus-host cell interactions by binding to c..
Nov 1
2024
 Avella et al., NCT05783180 A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Sesderma LACTYFERRIN™ Forte and Sesderma ZINC Defense™ (Liposomal Bovine Lactoferrin (LbLf) and Liposomal Zn (LZn)) and Standard of Care (SOC) vs SOC in the Treatment of Non-hospitalized Patients With COVID-19
Estimated 40 patient lactoferrin early treatment RCT with results not reported over 1.5 years after estimated completion.
Oct 17
2024
 da Silva et al., Frontiers in Immunology, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1456634 Immunomodulatory effect of bovine lactoferrin during SARS-CoV-2 infection
In silico, in vitro, and mouse study showing immunomodulatory effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) during SARS-CoV-2 infection. In silico analysis showed bLf strongly binds to TLR4 and NF-kB. In vitro, bLf modulated frequencies of NK and T..
Sep 24
2024
 Manzoni et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms251910248 Lactoferrin Supplementation in Preventing and Protecting from SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Is There Any Role in General and Special Populations? An Updated Review of Literature
Review of lactoferrin supplementation for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Authors summarize in vitro evidence showing lactoferrin can inhibit viral entry and replication through multiple mechanisms. Clinical trials in adults have ..
Aug 4
2024
 Babulic et al., Pharmaceuticals, doi:10.3390/ph17081021 Lactoferrin Binds through Its N-Terminus to the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
In vitro study showing that lactoferrin directly binds to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, potentially explaining lactoferrin's observed protective effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Authors found that..
Jun 30
2024
 Costanza et al., Sexually Transmitted Infections, doi:10.1136/sextrans-ICAR-2024.256 Lactoferrin assumption in vaccinated subjects infected by SARS-CoV-2 may influence time length of negativization
12% faster viral clearance. RCT 120 patients showing faster viral clearance with lactoferrin treatment. The currently available abstract has minimal details and does not report the confidence interval of the result.
May 17
2024
 Gaweł et al., Biomedicines, doi:10.3390/biomedicines12051120 Colostrum Lactoferrin Following Active and Recovered SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy
Analysis of 69 lactating mothers showing higher colostrum lactoferrin concentrations in mothers with a history of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy or delivery compared to pre-pandemic controls. The highest lactoferrin concentrations we..
Mar 28
2024
 Yathindranath et al., International Journal of Nanomedicine, doi:10.2147/IJN.S448005 Lipid Nanoparticle-Based Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Host Cell Infection
In vitro study showing that lactoferrin, camostat mesylate, and carrageenan inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection in airway epithelial Calu-3 cells. All show dose-dependent inhibition. The study focuses on novel LNP formulations and t..
Mar 28
2024
 Redel et al., ERJ Open Research, doi:10.1183/23120541.00031-2024 Effect of lactoferrin treatment on symptoms and physical performance in long COVID patients: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
RCT 72 long COVID outpatients showing no significant difference in fatigue, anxiety, depression, or cognitive failure with 6 weeks of lactoferrin treatment compared to placebo.
Feb 15
2024
 Pasinato et al., Children, doi:10.3390/children11020249 Lactoferrin in the Prevention of Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Preschool Children: A Prospective Randomized Study
50% fewer cases (p=1). RCT 50 preschool children, 25 treated with bovine lactoferrin (bLf) prophylaxis, showing significantly lower frequency and duration of respiratory infections during the active phase with treatment. The only COVID-19 specific results repor..
Oct 29
2023
 Berkowitz et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms242115718 Sigma Receptor Ligands Prevent COVID Mortality In Vivo: Implications for Future Therapeutics
Mouse study showing the combination of lactoferrin and diphenhydramine resulted in slower weight loss, improved survival, and faster weight recovery in SARS-CoV-2 infected animals compared to controls. The study authors propose the..
Sep 25
2023
 Alves et al., Pharmaceuticals, doi:10.3390/ph16101352 Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Vero Cells by Bovine Lactoferrin under Different Iron-Saturation States
In vitro study showing that iron-free and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 ancestral and omicron Vero cell infection. Treatment before or during infection was effective, while treatment after infection showed no sign..
Sep 21
2023
 Kobayashi-Sakamoto et al., International Dairy Journal, doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2023.105805 Bovine lactoferrin suppresses the cathepsin-dependent pathway of SARS-CoV-2 entry in vitro
In vitro study showing variant dependent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 with bovine lactoferrin (bLF). Authors found that bLF did not suppress entry of wild-type pseudoviruses into cells that express both ACE2 and TMPRSS2, but did suppress entr..
Jul 20
2023
 Mann et al., Future Science OA, doi:10.2144/fsoa-2023-0024 Hen egg white bovine colostrum supplement reduces symptoms of mild/moderate COVID-19: a randomized control trial
26% improved recovery (p=0.24), 11% worse viral clearance (p=0.36), and 8% lower long COVID (p=0.84). RCT 156 mild/moderate COVID-19 patients, 77 treated with hen egg white and bovine colostrum, showing faster recovery of severe symptoms with treatment. There were no significant differences in overall symptom duration, viral clearance, or..
Jun 30
2023
 El-Fakharany et al., International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125552 Inhibitory effect of lactoferrin-coated zinc nanoparticles on SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry along with improvement of lung fibrosis induced in adult male albino rats
In vitro and rat study showing lactoferrin-coated zinc nanoparticles (Lf-Zn-NPs) inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry while improving lung fibrosis in rats.
Apr 15
2023
 Andreu et al., Viruses, doi:10.3390/v15040972 Liposomal Lactoferrin Exerts Antiviral Activity against HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 Pseudoviruses In Vitro
In vitro study showing more potent antiviral activity for SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV229E with liposomal lactoferrin compared with free lactoferrin. Authors note that liposomal encapsulation has been shown to increase permeability, bioavailabilit..
Mar 31
2023
 Yazawa et al., Research Square, doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2676422/v1 Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 isolation in cell culture from nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs or saliva specimens of patients with COVID-19
Analysis of nasal/nasopharyngeal swabs and saliva specimens, showing significantly lower isolation efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva specimens. In vitro study showing that lactoferrin and amylase, components of saliva, were found to inhi..
Mar 4
2023
 Matino et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu15051285 Effect of Lactoferrin on Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: The LAC Randomized Clinical Trial
12% higher mortality (p=0.85), 45% higher ventilation (p=0.39), 6% higher combined mortality/ICU admission (p=0.87), and 34% worse recovery (p=0.12). RCT 218 hospitalized patients in Italy, showing no significant differences with lactoferrin treatment. Authors note that in several previous studies showing clinical improvement, lactoferrin was given at an earlier stage of disease. Autho..
Dec 7
2022
 Navarro et al., BioMetals, doi:10.1007/s10534-022-00477-3 Bovine lactoferrin for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in health care personnel: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial (LF-COVID)
59% more symptomatic cases (p=0.34) and 23% more cases (p=0.65). Early terminated low-risk patient prophylaxis RCT in Peru, showing no significant difference in cases with lactoferrin. There were no moderate or severe cases.
Aug 3
2022
 Rosa et al., BioMetals, doi:10.1007/s10534-022-00427-z An overview on in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of lactoferrin: its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Review of the antiviral activity of lactoferrin and efficacy for SARS-CoV-2.
May 17
2022
 Cutone et al., Research Square, doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1605740/v1 Lactoferrin binding to Sars-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein protects host from infection, inflammation and iron dysregulation.
Vero E6, Caco-2, and THP-1 in vitro study showing lactoferrin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus. Nutraceutically available bovine lactoferrin was more effective than human lactoferrin.
May 13
2022
 Piacentini et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms23105436 Lactoferrin Inhibition of the Complex Formation between ACE2 Receptor and SARS CoV-2 Recognition Binding Domain
Biolayer interferometry and turbidimetry study showing lactoferrin inhibits ACE2 - SARS-CoV-2 RBD binding.
Nov 20
2021
 Ostrov et al., Pathogens, doi:10.3390/pathogens10111514 Highly Specific Sigma Receptor Ligands Exhibit Anti-Viral Properties in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Cells
Vero E6 and H23 in vitro study finding SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity associated with agonism of the sigma-1 receptor, ligation of the sigma-2 receptor, and a combination of the two. Authors identify synergistic effects with the combinatio..
Oct 28
2021
 Shousha et al., World Journal of Gastroenterology, doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i40.6951 Hepatic and gastrointestinal disturbances in Egyptian patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019: A multicentre cohort study
79% lower mortality (p=0.11). Retrospective 547 hospitalized COVID+ patients in Egypt, showing lower mortality with lactoferrin treatment (without statistical significance).
Oct 19
2021
 Campione et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, doi:10.3390/ijerph182010985 Lactoferrin as Antiviral Treatment in COVID-19 Management: Preliminary Evidence
47% faster viral clearance (p=0.0001). Small prospective study in Italy with 32 lactoferrin patients, 32 SOC, and 28 patients with no treatment, showing significantly faster viral clearance and improved recovery with treatment in unadjusted results. Oral and intranasal lactofe..
Sep 21
2021
 Rosa et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, doi:10.3390/jcm10184276 Ambulatory COVID-19 Patients Treated with Lactoferrin as a Supplementary Antiviral Agent: A Preliminary Study
76% lower hospitalization (p=0.32), 40% slower recovery (p=0.5), and 39% faster viral clearance (p=0.02). Retrospective survey based study in Italy with 82 patients treated with lactoferrin, and 39 control patients, showing significantly faster viral clearance with treatment. There was no significant difference in recovery time overall, howev..
Sep 3
2021
 Ali et al., Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.08.019 Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Meta analysis of 6 RCTs, showing significantly lower risk of respiratory tract infections with lactoferrin.
Aug 19
2021
 Mirabelli et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi:10.1073/pnas.2105815118 Morphological cell profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection identifies drug repurposing candidates for COVID-19
In vitro study testing 1,425 compounds for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity, identifying 17 dose-responsive compounds with IC50 values <1μM. Lactoferrin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in the nanomolar range in all cell models with multiple modes of ac..
Aug 19
2021
 Algahtani et al., Medicina, doi:10.3390/medicina57080842 The Prospect of Lactoferrin Use as Adjunctive Agent in Management of SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study
25% improved recovery (p=1). RCT 54 hospitalized patients in Egypt, showing no significant differences in recovery with lactoferrin treatment. 200mg lactoferrin orally once daily (group 1) or 200mg lactoferrin orally twice daily (group 2).
Apr 14
2021
 Mattar et al., PeerJ, doi:10.7717/peerj.11303 Natural resources to control COVID-19: could lactoferrin amend SARS-CoV-2 infectivity?
Review of the mechanisms of action and evidence for beneficial effects of lactoferrin for COVID-19.
Feb 15
2021
 Miotto et al., Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, doi:10.3389/fmolb.2021.607443 Molecular Mechanisms Behind Anti SARS-CoV-2 Action of Lactoferrin
In silico study of possible molecular mechanisms for anti-SARS-CoV-2 action of lactoferrin.
Jan 23
2021
 Salaris et al., Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu13020328 Protective Effects of Lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro
Caco-2 and Vero E6 in vitro study showing lactoferrin enhances the antiviral immune response, partially inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, and modulates cytokine production.
Sep 30
2020
 Chang et al., International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106118 Lactoferrin as potential preventative and adjunct treatment for COVID-19
Review of lactoferrin for COVID-19. Authors propose that lactoferrin, a naturally occurring glycoprotein, may inhibit SARS-CoV-2 cell entry by binding to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans and viral particles, similar to lactoferr..
Jul 11
2020
 Campione et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, doi:10.3390/ijms21144903 Lactoferrin as Protective Natural Barrier of Respiratory and Intestinal Mucosa against Coronavirus Infection and Inflammation
Review of the mechanisms of action and potential benefits of lactoferrin for COVID-19. Authors propose designing a trial combining an intranasal spray and oral administration (which they later performed).
Apr 1
2020
 Serrano et al., International Journal of Research in Health Sciences, doi:10.5530/ijrhs.8.1.3 Liposomal Lactoferrin as Potential Preventative and Cure for COVID-19
Prospective study of treatment with lactoferrin, vitamin C, and zinc, reporting recovery for all patients within 5 days. Depending on symptoms, lactoferrin nasal drops, mouth spray, or nebulization was also used.