Scientists find natural compounds that hit COVID-19 from every angle

Brazilian tree compounds block COVID-19 entry, replication, and inflammation in lab tests, offering a multi-target antiviral approach. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• Scientists find natural compounds that hit COVID-19 from every angle

Contesto

Scientists have discovered that compounds extracted from the leaves of a little-known tree native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest can attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus on multiple fronts, according to a study released this week. The compounds, called galloylquinic acids, were found to block the virus from entering human cells, disrupt its ability to replicate once inside, and simultaneously dampen the harmful inflammation that can lead to severe COVID-19. The research, conducted by a team of virologists and botanists, marks a significant departure from most current antiviral drugs, which typically target a single step in the virus’s life cycle. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed journal, highlight the potential of natural products in the fight against a pandemic that has claimed millions of lives worldwide. The tree species, which has not been widely studied, grows in the biodiversity-rich Atlantic Forest, a biome that has already yielded numerous medicinal plants. The galloylquinic acids were isolated from leaf extracts and tested against live SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory cultures, where they showed potent activity at non-toxic concentrations. Importantly, the compounds appeared to work synergistically, attacking the virus through three distinct mechanisms: preventing viral spike proteins from binding to ACE2 receptors on human cells, inhibiting the RNA polymerase enzyme that the virus uses to copy its genetic material, and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can trigger a dangerous immune overreaction known as a cytokine storm. This multi-pronged approach is particularly promising because it could make it harder for the virus to develop resistance. Many existing antivirals, such as remdesivir, target a single viral protein, and SARS-CoV-2 has shown the ability to mutate around these drugs over time. By hitting the virus at multiple points simultaneously, galloylquinic acids could potentially remain effective even as new variants emerge. The researchers noted that the compounds are structurally similar to other polyphenols found in plants like green tea and oak galls, which have known antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, but the...

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Categoria: cronaca