Emory University scientists have discovered that two wild plant extracts can inhibit the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect living cells. The research was published in the journal scientific reports.
Biologists studied the effect of extracts from goldenrod flowers (Solidago altissima) and rhizomes of eagle fern (Pteridium aquilinum). The researchers stressed that trying to use these plants to self-treat the coronavirus would be ineffective and potentially dangerous: Eagle fern is poisonous, and the active compounds are only found in very small amounts in plants.
The scientists analyzed more than 1,800 extracts and 18 compounds from the Quave natural product library for activity against SARS-CoV-2. They conducted experiments on SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles and cells that have ACE2 receptors on their surface. ACE2 is required for virus entry into the cell.
The highest activity in suppressing the virus was shown in tall goldenrod and eagle fern. The extracts showed effects against alpha, theta, delta and gamma variables. Both types of plants are native to North America and are used medicinally by Native Americans.
The scientists now plan to find the exact mechanism and substances that allow plant extracts to block the virus from attaching to cells. Some of the more well-known plant-derived remedies include aspirin (from the willow), penicillin (from the fungus), and taxol (from the yew tree) for cancer.
Source: Gazeta
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