Which medicinal plants work against the corona virus? – Naturopathy & naturopathic specialist portal

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Treatment options for the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are currently desperately sought. As is so often the case, the key to developing an effective active ingredient could lie in nature. The Indian research team led by Ashok K. Patel from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has therefore tested 51 plants for their action against the coronavirus and was able to identify some promising candidates. Her study results were published in the specialist magazine “Phytotherapy Research“.

51 medicinal plants examined

“Medicinal plants could offer a way to treat COVID-19 by targeting certain essential proteins of the virus,” the researchers explain. They therefore have 51 medicinal plants – including, for example, aloe vera, Knoblauch, ginger, Haritaki and green and black tea – tested in the laboratory for the effect against SARS-CoV-2.

“We took advantage of the principle of medicinal plants to address the challenge of COVID-19. In the present study, 51 plants with antiviral potential against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 were examined, ”said the research team.

In the investigations, green and black tea and extracts from Haritaki (tree from the plant genus Myrobalane) in particular showed a clear effect against the corona virus. “The study shows the inhibitory potential of tea and Haritaki against 3CLpro; a crucial enzymatic protein from SARS-CoV-2, ”the researchers report. The interruption of this enzymatic activity could potentially block the replication of the virus in the cells and thus confer a protective effect against COVID-19.

Inhibition of protease activity

According to the research team, tea (green tea and black tea) and Haritaki had a comparable inhibition of protease activity: “50% inhibition at 10 μg / ml and more than 90% inhibition at 40 μg / ml and more.” Both variants of tea and the Haritaki extract are potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2.

The research team also reports that the inflammatory and oxidative damage to the cells caused by the virus can be counteracted by the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of these plants.

The researchers also tried to identify the molecules in the medicinal plants that are responsible for the antiviral effect. They encountered thearubigin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and hesperidin, which show an interaction with the active center of the protease.

Promising candidates for new active ingredients

“We believe that inhibition of protease activity could stop the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2, and therefore suggest green tea, black tea and Haritaki plant extracts as potential therapeutic candidates for SARS-CoV-2 infection,” this is the conclusion of the research team. Now further studies on the role of bioactive components in medicinal plants are needed to determine the molecular basis of the inhibition and to accelerate the development of medicines. (fp)