My view has not changed, and it is possible cycloferon might be helpful for ME/CFS.
But I am just saying that a similar immunomodulator tilorone (Amixin) was shown
not to induce interferon in humans, even though it is sold in Russia as an interferon inducer. So that makes me wonder whether the various other Russian interferon inducers actually induce interferon in humans or not.
This study found cycloferon induces an interferon-like substance in mice, but not it rabbits. So cycloferon is animal species-specific. Though
this study found cycloferon does induce interferon alpha in monkeys, which helped with cytomegalovirus infection. So that suggests it might work in humans.
Cycloferon also has antiviral effects that are unrelated to interferon.
This study found cycloferon has antiviral effects against adenovirus independent to its interferon inducing effects.
In
this paper (full text
here), which review a large set of Russian immunomodulator drugs, they say:
Cycloferon. Manufacturer: "Polysan", Russia
Cycloferon is a synthetic analogue of Cytrus Grandis alkaloid, stimulates B-cells, macrophages and other cells and tissues to produce almost pure type 1 interferons. It was reported to have up to 100-fold upregulation of beta-interferon gene and 10-fold upregulation of alpha-interferon gene in the human blood samples after administration of Cycloferon without affecting essentially the activity of other genes of blood cells [28].
In the placebo controlled multicentered study on totally 16,000 children and adolescents Cycloferon demonstrated clear epidemiological benefit in the prophylaxis of the influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections with 1.5-2.9 –fold decreased morbidity and 41-90% protection index [29].
Its efficiency was demonstrated in chronic infections of upper respiratory tract too [30]. Specific antiviral activity of Cycloferon against adenovirus type 6 in vitro [31] and herpes virus on experimental herpetic infection was demonstrated [32].
So that in vitro test in human blood samples suggests cycloferon probably does work in humans in vivo. Cycloferon seem to up-regulate interferon beta more than interferon alpha (and this might explain its anti-inflammatory effects, as interferon beta has anti-inflammatory properties).
Note that other names for cycloferon include: 10-carboxymethyl-9-acridanone and циклоферон (name in Russian).
@heapsreal used cycloferon quite a bit, and I think he found it had an anti-inflammatory effect which was beneficial. See his cycloferon thread
here. Cycloferon is known to have an anti-inflammatory action.
I tried cycloferon for a very short period of time (a week or so), at 300 mg daily, but did not notice much. However, if you look at Dr John Chia's experiments with interferon treatment for ME/CFS, he gave patients subcutaneous interferon injections for 3 months. So I would guess from Chia's protocol you may need to take cycloferon for a few months before any improvements in ME/CFS manifest.
An alternative to interferon inducer drugs is taking actual interferon. You can buy interferon alpha suppositories from Russian online pharmacies very cheaply. I put some info about interferon suppositories and where to buy them in
this post.
