As the world seeks an effective drug against SARS-CoV-2, an herb widely used in Ayurveda provides a new and stimulating clue.
Scientists at the National Brain Research Center, Manesar found that an ingredient in Mulethi (Yashthimadhu in Sanskrit) has the potential to emerge as a drug candidate against SARS-CoV-2, as it reduces the severity of the disease and decreases viral replication.
More than 15 months after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, scientists have yet to discover a drug to fight the violent virus, although several vaccines have been launched.
Doctors currently treat patients with a handful of reused drugs with varying degrees of effectiveness.
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With the support of the Biotechnology Department, the NBRC team last year started looking for a new therapy against Covid-19 in the middle of the blockade period.
When research was reduced to glycyrrhizin because of its wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers carried out a series of experiments to verify 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 treatment with glycyrrhizin eliminates inflammation in those cells. The untreated cells succumbed to the inflammation.
“By mitigating the cytokine storm (a severe immune reaction triggered by severe cases of Covid-19), glycyrrhizin can reduce the severity of the infection,” said senior NBRC scientist Ellora Sen, who led the team DH.
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Later, when Sen and his fellow researchers 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 reduces viral replication by 90%.
Although mulethi (Yashtimadhu) is widely prescribed for lung diseases, chronic fevers and inflammation of the respiratory tract in Ayurveda, glycyrrhizin is used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C.
“Given its safety and tolerability profile, it may be a viable therapeutic option in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection,” she said. The team is now looking for partners to carry out the research to the pre-clinical stage.
The study was published in Cytokine, the official journal of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society.