According to new research in the UK, a plant-derived antiviral drug may be “very effective” in treating the coronavirus – and could also help fight future pandemics.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that the broad-spectrum antiviral thapsigargin is very effective not only against COVID-19, but also against a common cold coronavirus called respiratory syncytial virus and the influenza A, Eurekalert.org reported.
“While we are still in the early stages of research on this antiviral agent and its impact on how viruses such as COVID-19 can be treated, these findings are hugely significant,” said Professor Kin-Chow Chang, who along with colleagues led the study. at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, China Agricultural University and the Pirbright Institute.
“The current pandemic highlights the need for effective antivirals to treat active infections, as well as vaccines to prevent the infection,” he said.
Given that future pandemics are likely to be of animal origin, with animal-to-human and reverse zoonotic (human-to-animal) spreading, a new generation of antivirals, such as thapsigargin, could play a key role in controlling and treating major viral infections in both humans and animals, ”added Chang.
The scientists found that, in small doses, the antiviral elicits a “highly effective” immune response against the three main types of human respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
Thapsigargin, which has been tested in prostate cancer, is effective against viral infection when used before or during active infection, according to the study.
According to the study, a virus can make new copies of itself in cells for at least 48 hours after a single exposure of 30 minutes.
“While clearly more testing is needed, the current findings strongly indicate that thapsigargin and its derivatives are promising antiviral treatments against COVID-19 and the flu virus, and have the potential to defend us against the next Disease X pandemic,” said Chang.