As the world seeks an effective medicine against SARS-CoV-2, a plant widely used in Ayurveda offers an exciting new advantage.
Scientists at the Manesar National Brain Research Center have found that an ingredient in Muleth (Yashthimadhu in Sanskrit) has the potential to appear as a candidate drug against SARS-CoV-2, as it decreases the severity of the disease and reduces viral replication.
More than 15 months after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, scientists are yet to discover another drug to fight the furious virus, although several vaccines have been launched.
Doctors currently manage patients with a handful of reused drugs, with a different degree of effectiveness.
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With the support of the Department of Biotechnology, the BNR team last year began looking for a new therapeutic treatment against Covid-19 in the middle of the blocking period.
When the search was restricted to glycyrrhizin because of its wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers conducted a series of experiments to test its potential against SARS-CoV-2.
In the laboratory, scientists expressed specific viral proteins in human lung epithelial cells. Viral proteins triggered inflammation in these cells, but glycyrrhizin treatment removes inflammation from such cells. Untreated cells gave way to inflammation.
“By reducing the cytokine storm (a severe immune response triggered by severe cases of Covid-19), glycyrrhizin can reduce the severity of the infection,” Ellora Sen, who led the team, told NBRC researcher. AD.
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Later, when Sen and her research colleagues Pruthvi Gowda, Shruti Patrick, Shanker Datt, Rajesh Joshi and Kumar Kumawat further analyzed the molecule, they found that in addition to inhibiting the cytokine storm, glycyrrhizin also reduced viral replication by 90%.
While Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) is widely prescribed for lung diseases, chronic fever and airway inflammation in Ayurveda, glycyrrhizin is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C.
Given its safety profile and tolerability, it could be a viable therapeutic option in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, she said. The team is now looking for partners to continue the research in the preclinical stage.
The study was published in cytokines, the official journal of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society.