Conductive formulations containing conductive agents, such as salts, ionic surfactants, or other substances that are in an ionized state or easily ionized in an aqueous or
organic solvent environment, and methods of use, have been developed. One or more active agents, such as antivirals, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, proteins or peptides, may optionally be included with the formulation. The
active agent may be administered with or incorporated into the formulation, or may be administered after the conductive formulation is administered. When applied to mucosal lining fluids, the formulation alters the physical properties such as the
surface tension,
surface elasticity, and bulk
viscosity of the mucosal lining. The formulation is administered in an amount sufficient to alter biophysical properties in the mucosal linings of the body. The formulations may be administered for several different purposes: reducing the spreading of infectious diseases, both viral and bacterial, such as SARS, influenza,
tuberculosis, and RSV in humans and
hoof and mouth
disease in cloven-tooted animals; minimizing ambient
contamination due to particle formation during
breathing, coughing, sneezing, or talking which is particularly important in the clean room applications; decreasing or preventing the occurrence of
obstructive sleep apnea and some cases of
irritable bowel syndrome; and controlling the uptake
kinetics of
drug molecules and pathogens.