anti-viral Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Discover the AMAZING Health Benefits of Echinacea

AHA Publisher — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 08:00:44 +0000

Wendy Miller via NaturalHealth365 – As days go by, more and more people come to realize that supporting our bodies’ natural defenses is the best strategy when facing invisible viruses and other potential invaders. Thanks to Mother Nature’s generosity, we do not lack natural ways to fight off viruses, strengthen our immune systems and maintain optimum health. Thankfully, herbs like echinacea do exactly that, bolster our immune system and help our body fight off a variety of illnesses. Echinacea Is Rich in Antioxidants, Boosts the Immune System Echinacea is known to be rich in antioxidants. Why are antioxidants important? Because antioxidants are potent fighters against free radicals that cause oxidation in the cells and control the free radicals found in our environment. Free radicals cause changes in the cells of our bodies that lead to various types of cancer and other health conditions that can be chronic and debilitating. Including echinacea in your nutritional regimen is a great way to get the antioxidants you need to boost your immune system. But Wait, There Is More! Echinacea Has Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties In addition to being rich in antioxidants, echinacea is both an antiviral and an antibacterial. Its ability to fight both viruses and different types of bacteria makes it an effective immune system supporter. Including it in your herbal supplements strengthens your body, making it more resistant to many of the most common illnesses we face. Thanks to its unique chemical composition, echinacea is one of the most potent herbs on the planet we can use to defend against ailments that affect most age groups. Reap the MULTIPLE Health Benefits of Herbal Remedies Several benefits can be gained by using herbal remedies to treat or even help prevent various types of illnesses and diseases. When combined with other natural remedies like olive leaf extract and goldenseal, echinacea can dramatically enhance the potency of the other components. Echinacea has few known side effects and boosts the immune system and other defense mechanisms within the body so that every ingredient in the supplement is used to its fullest advantage. How Should I Take This Powerful Herb? Echinacea can be found in many forms. You can purchase it in capsule form, which is suitable for adults. Many herbal tea formulas contain echinacea. Most teas that contain echinacea are safe to be given to children in small amounts. Tinctures are also made using echinacea and offer the maximum amount of antibacterial/antiviral protection when a few drops are added to a cool beverage. Don’t Forget About Living a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to adding echinacea and other herbal supplements, it’s also important to live a healthier lifestyle. For example, exercising three to four times a week for 30 minutes and walking on alternate days will strengthen both your body and mind. Eating a healthy diet will provide the fuel you need to stay active and fit. Relax and get the rest you need every day. At least eight hours of sleep is necessary to help the body reset, recharge, and repair itself daily. Bringing it all together and a healthy lifestyle that includes the most potent herbal remedies will keep even the most vigorous viruses or bacteria at bay. Do a little research if you want to learn more about herbal supplements, especially echinacea. You may “just” be amazed at what you will learn. Sources for this article include: Herbs.news WebMD.com MountSinai.org Healthline.com To read the original article click here.

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Quercetin: 8 Proven Benefits of This Antioxidant (#1 Is Incredible)

AHA Publisher — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 07:00:31 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Have you ever wondered what makes a “superfood” super? Or what top superfoods like red wine, green tea, kale and blueberries all have in common? The answer is quercetin, a natural compound tied to what all of us seek: better longevity, heart health, endurance, immunity, and more. Quercetin is considered to be the most widely distributed and extensively studied flavonoid, according to a 2018 review. It’s been shown in dozens of studies to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. In fact, there isn’t much this powerful antioxidant compound can’t do, especially when combined with the health benefits of bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme. All this explains why many experts recommend consuming food sources that contain quercetin regularly. So what are those foods, and how much should you consume? Let’s explore. What Is Quercetin? Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant that’s found in plant foods, including leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and broccoli. It’s technically considered a “plant pigment,” which is exactly why it’s found in deeply colored, nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables. Considered one of the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet, quercetin plays an important part in fighting free radical damage, the effects of aging and inflammation, according to many studies. While you can get plenty of it from eating a healthy diet, some people also take this compound in concentrated supplement form for even stronger anti-inflammatory effects. What is quercetin used for? According to the Department of Pathology and Diagnostics at the University of Verona in Italy, quercetin glycosides and other flavonoids, (like kaempferol and myricetin) are “anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents.” They have potential to be expressed positively in different cell types in both animals and humans. Flavonoid polyphenols are most beneficial for down-regulating or suppressing inflammatory pathways and functions. Quercetin is considered the most diffused and known nature-derived flavonol there is, showing strong effects on immunity and inflammation caused by leukocytes and other intracellular signals. How It Works Research shows that anti-inflammatory foods containing quercetin can help manage a number of inflammatory health problems, including heart disease and blood vessel problems, allergies, infections, chronic fatigue, and symptoms related to autoimmune disorders like arthritis. How exactly do flavonoids benefit us? It all comes down to high-antioxidant foods‘ ability to be “scavenge free radicals.” As a major bioflavonoid in our diets, quercetin (a type of “polyphenolic antioxidant”) helps slow the aging progress because it lessens the effects of oxidative stress on the body. Oxidative stress takes place in all of us but is increased by things like a poor diet, high levels of stress, a lack of sleep and exposure to chemical toxins. Quercetin plays a role in regulating the immune system’s response to outside stressors through cell signaling pathways called kinases and phosphatases, two types of enzyme and membrane proteins needed for proper cellular function. Benefits 1. Lowers Inflammation Flavonoids, (aka bioflavonoids or bioflavonoide) including quercetin, are important anti-inflammatories because they act as antioxidants, which mean they literally fight the natural process of “oxidation” that takes place over time as we age. Quercetin can help stop damaging particles in the body known as free radicals, which negatively impact how cells work — including damaging cell membranes, changing the way DNA works, increasing cell mutations and causing healthy cells to die. It can also reduce expression of inflammatory genes such as interleukin. Research now shows us that inflammation is the root of most diseases, including heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, some mental disorders and autoimmune disorders. At this time, practitioners and patients report using quercetin to effectively fight conditions related to inflammation, including: “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) high cholesterol heart disease and circulation problems insulin resistance and diabetes eye-related disorders, including cataracts allergies, asthma and hay fever stomach ulcers cognitive impairment gout viral infections inflammation of the prostate, bladder and ovaries chronic fatigue syndrome cancer chronic infections of the prostate skin disorders, including dermatitis and hives 2. Fights Allergies Is quercetin an antihistamine? Some consider it to be a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, possibly making it effective for lowering the effects of seasonal and food allergies, plus asthma and skin reactions. However, most research to date has been conducted on animals and not humans. Histamines are chemicals that are released when the immune system detects an allergy or sensitivity, and they are what account for uncomfortable symptoms we face whenever the body has an allergic reaction. Quercetin can help stabilize the release of histamines from certain immune cells, which results in decreased symptoms like coughs, watery eyes, runny noses, hives, swollen lips or tongue, and indigestion. It’s long been used in ancient Chinese herbal formulas created to block allergies to certain foods (such as peanuts). Studies conducted on mice suggest that it may be equivalent at fighting allergies as some prescription medications, all with little to no side effects. 3. Supports Heart Health Because of its ability to lower inflammation and oxidative stress, quercetin seems to be beneficial for people with heart and blood vessel-related disorders, according to a number of studies. For example, eating lots of deeply colored fruits and veggies that contain flavonoids is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and even death, in older adults, among reduced risk for vascular diseases. It’s also been connected to reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity, which have many of the same risk factors as heart disease. Studies done in animal and some human populations show that various types of flavonoids (quercetin, resveratrol and catechins, for example) can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which is a dangerous condition caused by plaque building up within the arteries. Cut-off blood flow in the arteries is one of the primary risk factors for experiencing a heart attack or stroke, which is why cardiac arrest is less likely among people who eat a nutrient-packed diet. Antioxidants also seem to protect the body from experiencing increases in LDL “bad” cholesterol and can help regulate blood pressure levels. Certain studies show that quercetin prevents damage to LDL cholesterol particles, and it seems that people who eat the most flavonoid-rich foods typically have healthier and lower cholesterol levels, plus fewer incidences of hypertension and high blood pressure. In fact, if you’ve ever heard that red wine is good for your heart, that’s because it’s a natural source of quercetin. It’s one of the main active ingredients in red wine extract, which is associated with healthier heart function. 4. Helps Fight Pain Taking quercetin supplements may help lower pain associated with autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, as well as infections, including those of the prostate and respiratory tract. That’s because studies suggest quercetin reduces inflammatory pain. For example, there’s some evidence from several small studies that people experiencing bladder pains from infections (causing an urgent need to urinate, swelling and burning) have fewer symptoms when taking quercetin supplements. Flavonoids are also linked to reduced symptoms of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There’s evidence that when patients with RA switch from eating a “typical Western diet” to one higher in antioxidant-rich foods (like uncooked berries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, roots, seeds and sprouts), they experience less pain and reoccurring symptoms. 5. Might Help Improve Energy and Endurance Quercetin is added to some athletic supplements because it’s believed to help increase athletic performance and endurance, likely because of its positive effects on blood flow. Researchers from the School of Applied Physiology at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that, on average, “quercetin provides a statistically significant benefit in human endurance exercise capacity (VO2 max) and endurance exercise performance).” While improvements were at times small, it makes sense that antioxidants could boost physical performance since they help increase the health of blood vessels, which carry oxygen and nutrients to muscle and joint tissue. Other studies also show that it helps increase immune function and prevents susceptibility to illnesses that can occur when someone trains intensely and experiences exhaustion. One study found evidence that taking 500 milligrams of quercetin twice daily helped protect cyclers from developing exercise-induced respiratory infections following periods of heavy exercise. Because it can boost your energy level, does quercetin affect sleep? For example, is there a link between quercetin and insomnia? One study found evidence that it may alter the sleep-wake cycle partly through activation of GABA receptors. However, insomnia is generally not believed to be a common side effect of taking it in dietary supplement form. 6. Might Help Fight Cancer A Boston University School of Medicine study published in the Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents shows a link between a nutrient-dense diet rich in quercetin plus other antioxidants and a lowered risk of cancer. Quercetin seems to have potential chemo-preventive activity and might have a unique antiproliferative effect on cancerous cells, making it an effective addition to any natural cancer treatment approach. Research shows that this may result from the modulation of either EGFR or estrogen-receptor pathways. Recent studies have found quercetin can help stop the processes involved in cell proliferation and mutation, the growth of tumors, and symptoms related to typical cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy. At this time, the majority of studies done on quercetin’s effects on cellular functioning have involved animals, so more research is still needed to reveal specific effects on human cancer cells. This is especially true when taken in high doses above the amount someone would get from a healthy diet. 7. Helps Protect Skin Health Capable of blocking “mast cells,” which are immune cells critical in triggering allergic reactions, inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease, researchshows that quercetin helps protect skin from the effects of disorders like dermatitis and photosensitivity. Flavonoids like quercetin block the release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8 and TNF, which helps stop symptoms related to skin inflammation, even in people who don’t find relief from other conventional treatments or prescriptions. Studies have found that this compound has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help fight allergic and inflammatory diseases, as well as some prescriptions, when taken in oral supplement form. For example, some people take quercetin for eczema since it can inhibit the secretion of histamine and pro-inflammatory markers. 8. Protects Liver Health Recent research has shown that this antioxidant has protective effects when administered to rats with ethanol-induced acute liver injury. Researchers concluded that “quercetin, by multiple mechanisms interplay, demonstrates hepatoprotective effect on liver-injury induced by alcohol, by increasing ethanol metabolizing enzyme activities, increasing antioxidant system activities against oxidative stress, lowering the expressions of pro-inflammation cytokines.” A 2017 study found evidence indicating that quercetin attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice through inhibiting macrophages infiltration. Researchers believe it “holds promise as potential therapeutic agent for human fibrotic liver disease”, a condition triggered by liver injury and inflammation. 9. Protects Against Neurological Disorders There’s mounting evidence showing that quercetin offers neuroprotective benefits, due to its ability to defend the brain against oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to potentially less risk for cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A 2018 study concluded that “findings suggest a possible new protective role for dietary flavonoids on alzheimer’s disease (AD).” The study found that administration of quercetin in early-middle stages of AD pathology ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and boosts protection mainly related to increased Aβ clearance and reduced astrogliosis, which is related to destruction of neurons. Food Sources What foods have the most quercetin? All types of tasty red, green and purple-pigmented plants come packed with quercetin — for example, red wine, blueberries, apples, red onion and even green tea are some of the best sources. Quercetin is actually believed to be the most abundant flavonoid in the human diet. But the amount found in plant foods can vary a lot depending on where they’re grown, how fresh they are, how they’re prepared and so on. Some of the top sources of quercetin to add to your diet include: Apples Peppers Red wine Dark cherries and berries (blueberries, bilberries, blackberries and others) Tomatoes Cruciferous veggies, including broccoli, cabbage and sprouts Leafy green veggies, including spinach, kale Citrus fruits Cocoa Cranberries Whole grains, including buckwheat Raw asparagus Capers Raw red onion Olive oil Black and green tea Beans/legumes Herbs,...

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New Merck Pill Called a ‘Gamechanger’ in COVID Fight, Cuts Deaths and Hospitalizations in Half

AHA Publisher — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:00:37 +0000

Tara Mergener via CBN News – There’s a possible breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19. Pharmaceutical company Merck says new data on Molnupiravir shows a reduced risk of hospitalization or death by up to 50 percent in clinical trials. “You can take it home and it will significantly reduce the risk that you either ultimately are hospitalized or more importantly that you would ever face the unfortunate outcome of death,” said Rob Davis, CEO of Merck. The anti-viral treatment would be given as a series of pills within five days of testing positive for COVID. It is believed to also be effective against the Delta, Gamma and Mu variants. Through 29 days of trials, no deaths were reported in patients who received the drug compared to 8 deaths in patients who got the placebo. Merck will ask the FDA for emergency use authorization. The news comes amid vaccine mandate showdowns happening across the country, including staff in New York City schools. On Friday, California even announced it will mandate vaccines from all schoolkids once the FDA approves them. “I will continue to advocate against these mandates, but obviously I’m going to need to figure out how I’m going to pay my bills and support my son,” said New York teacher Stephanie Edmonds. Late Thursday, a Federal Appeals Court blocked the firing of New York health care workers who are claiming a religious exemption, pending the outcome of a court hearing next month. In Colorado, some healthcare facilities are bracing for staffing shortages with many employees there also refusing the shot. “We’ve had a lot of pushback from staff, there are certainly a lot of folks that just absolutely do not want it,” said Leeah Key of Eastern Colorado Services. Meanwhile, the numbers show hospital admissions for COVID are down by 27,000 in recent weeks. And health officials say the overall COVID infection rate is significantly down for the first time in three months. Still, the Biden administration was doubling down on its vaccine message Friday. “COVID vaccinations are safe, effective, convenient, free. They protect you, your loved ones, your community,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the COVID response team. To read the original article click here.

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Study Suggests Vitamin B12 as a SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 07:00:23 +0000

Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via News-Medical – Researchers in the UK and Spain have used a novel drug screening approach to identify compounds that could serve as effective antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The team used a quantum-inspired device in combination with a more traditional fingerprinting method to search for drugs that are similar to remdesivir, the only antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 that is currently approved for human use. “The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need to identify new therapeutics at pace, including through drug repurposing,” says the team from Fujitsu Technology Solutions in Madrid and King’s College Hospital in London. While both models predicted the antiviral drug GS-6620 as the top compound, the quantum-based model predicted the antiviral BMS-986094 as second best. Both of these compounds were initially developed to treat the hepatitis C virus. The more traditional Tanimoto model also predicted different forms of vitamin B12 as potential antiviral candidates. In vitro analyses revealed that BMS-986094 and the different types of B12 were effective at inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 variants. “While BMS-986094 can cause secondary effects in humans as established by phase II trials, these findings suggest that vitamin B12 deserves consideration as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, particularly given its extended use and lack of toxicity in humans, and its availability and affordability,” writes Rocio Martinez-Nunez and colleagues. “Our data illustrate the power of employing quantum-inspired computing for drug repurposing,” they add. A pre-print version of the research paper is available on the bioRxiv* server while the article undergoes peer review. Treatments That Can Be Rapidly Deployed Are Urgently Required Since the COVID-19 outbreak first began in late December 2019, intense research and development efforts have led to the emergency use authorization and mass roll-out of several effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. “However, the ongoing emergence of new variants, different immunization rates, supply chain issues, as well as the presence of smaller or larger outbreaks underlie the requirement for urgent treatments that can be rapidly deployed,” says Martinez-Nunez and colleagues. Drug repurposing refers to the process by which approved drugs are used to treat a disease they were not initially designed to treat. Virtual screening has become essential in the early stages of drug discovery, but the process is typically time-consuming since it generally relies on measuring chemical similarities between molecules. Accordingly, most well-known methods use 2D molecular fingerprints to include structural information about molecules. However, these methods do not consider aspects of molecular structures such as 3D folding. Where Does Quantum-Inspired Computing Come in? The 3D information obtained from a given molecule can be encoded as a graph, say Martinez-Nunez and colleagues. “In order to calculate the similarity between molecules, a new graph that contains information regarding the two molecules is required, allowing for better and faster comparisons to solve an optimization problem known as the Maximum Independent Set (MIS) that extracts the similar parts of those two graphs,” explains the team. By employing quantum-inspired computing, mathematical models are able to manage this kind of information while shortening execution times by up to 60-fold. The Problem with Remdesivir Remdesivir is currently the only antiviral drug approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, while another compound called molnupiravir is also emerging as a potential candidate. However, both of these compounds are associated with multiple side effects, including nausea and hepatic impairment. They are also costly and therefore unaffordable in many countries and settings. “There is, therefore, an urgent need to identify novel antiviral compounds that exhibit low to no side effects and that are readily and economically available,” write the researchers. What Did the Researchers Do? The researchers employed a Quadratic Unbounded Binary Optimization (QUBO) model that runs on a quantum-inspired device to search for compounds similar to remdesivir. They modeled remdesivir as a graph and then screened the DrugBank database for compounds already approved for human use. The optimal parameters in the algorithm were established, and the MIS problem was resolved within the conflict graph generated. The team also employed a more traditional fingerprint method – the Tanimoto index – that runs on a regular laptop. What Did the Study Find? Both methods predicted several compounds that exhibited similarity to remdesivir, with GS-6620 predicted as the top compound by both models. The QUBO model predicted BMS-986094 as the second-best candidate and Tanimoto predicted several forms of cobamamide, also known as vitamin B12. Next, the team performed cultured cell assays to determine the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory capabilities of the compounds. This revealed that BMS-986094, cobamamide, hydroxocobalamin, and methylcobalamin all proved effective at concentrations lying within ranges suitable for human use. Finally, the researchers showed that these compounds were effective at inhibiting the replication of a number of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including B.1.1.7 (also called Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), and B.1.617.2 (Delta). What Did the Authors Conclude? Martinez-Nunez and colleagues say the data revealed novel compounds that could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication, based on the QUBO model and the more traditional Tanimoto fingerprint. “BMS warrants further investigation, while vitamin B12 is readily available from multiple sources. It is affordable, can be self-administered by patients, is available worldwide, and displays low-to-no toxicity at high doses,” they write. “Our screening method can be employed in future searches for novel pharmacologic inhibitors, thus providing an approach for accelerating drug deployment,” concludes the team. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. To read the original article click here.

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Can Melatonin Help Prevent Severe COVID-19?

AHA Publisher — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:00:12 +0000

Angela Betsaida B. Laguipo, BSN via News-Medical Net – The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide, infecting over 64.50 million people across 191 territories. Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the infection has already claimed more than 1.49 million lives. The coronavirus pandemic is by far the worst global health crisis in the past century. The magnitude of the disease’s spread stemmed from the number of people who traveled early in 2020 when there were still only a few cases of COVID-19. Of all the victims of the virus, older adults and those with underlying health issues are the most vulnerable and are more likely to develop severe symptoms. Currently, there is no approved drug that is safe and effective in mitigating severe or critical COVID-19. Many health experts have recommended repurposing old antivirals – like remdesivir and dexamethasone – to reduce the risk of developing severe illness. More recently, some have recommended melatonin as a potential therapeutic that can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. A team of researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada has found that melatonin can be an adjuvant to augment the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. They believe that the drug is a potential “silver bullet” to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Melatonin and COVID-19 In the study, which was published in the journal Diseases, the scientists discussed the potential benefit of melatonin for COVID-19 patients. They discussed evidence implying that melatonin prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection, has anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant properties, counteracts chronodisruption, and combats many comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The SARS-CoV-2 pathogen enters the cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the lungs and other organs in the body. The virus’s spike glycoprotein on its surface docks onto the ACE2 dimer to infiltrate the host cell and commence viral replication. Previous studies suggest that melatonin may be an effective antiviral agent amid the coronavirus pandemic. In one study, the researchers found that a drug combination of melatonin and mercaptopurine effectively hits the HCoV-host subnetwork and was recommended as a possible drug combination for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Another possible way melatonin may regulate viral infection is related to its effective binding and inhibition of calmodulin, which regulates the surface expression and retention of ACE2 in the plasma membrane. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties Apart from preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2, melatonin has also been noted for its anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant properties. Melatonin applies anti-inflammatory effects through sirtuin-1, which inhibits the polarization of macrophages towards the proinflammatory type. Further, the drug decreases the proinflammatory cytokines, which have been tied to severe COVID-19 disease. The drug has antioxidant properties as it acts as a free radical searcher; it is metabolized to compounds with high antioxidant activity, and triggers the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes. Chronobiotic and Cytoprotective Agent Apart from reducing inflammation and cytokine levels, melatonin is also a chronobiotic and cytoprotective agent. A chronobiotic agent is a drug that affects the physiological regulation of the body clock, which can correct a desynchronized circadian rhythm. Regulating and maintaining a stable body clock is important to boost energy levels and the immune system. Melatonin is also a cytoprotective agent, which can help combat the common comorbidities that can heighten the risk of severe COVID-19. These include diabetes, metabolic syndrome and ischemic cardiovascular disease. Lastly, melatonin also provides neuroprotection for COVID-19 patients. Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 patients experience include loss of smell, paralysis, stroke, cranial nerve deficits, delirium, meningitis, seizures, and encephalopathy. “Melatonin as a potential “silver bullet” in the COVID 19 pandemic, as exemplified in the brain. Melatonin has possible antiviral activity by interfering with SARS-CoV-2/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 association,” the researchers explained. In a nutshell, melatonin is a potent drug that can be used in treating COVID-19 patients. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory compound that impairs the complications of COVID-19. Also, melatonin is an effective chronobiotic agent that reverses disruptions in the circadian rhythm. As a neuroprotective agent, it helps prevent the neurological effects of COVID-19, including cognitive decay and brain fog. Older people have lower levels of circulating melatonin in the body, explaining why some may be more likely to suffer from severe symptoms. Viruses can induce an increase in inflammatory cytokines, and since older adults have low levels of melatonin, they will have impaired immunity. “Therefore, the use of the very safe drug melatonin in adequate doses can prevent the development of severe disease symptoms in coronavirus patients, reduce the severity of their symptoms, and reduce the immuno-pathology of coronavirus infection on patients’ health after the active phase of the infection is over,” the researchers explained. Further, the team noted that melatonin could be used as an adjuvant for future vaccines since it helps prevents reinfection. To read the original article click here.

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New Antiviral Drug Completely Suppresses SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Within 24 Hours

AHA Publisher — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 08:00:05 +0000

Georgia State University via News-Medical Net – Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection with a new antiviral drug, MK-4482/EIDD-2801 or Molnupiravir, completely suppresses virus transmission within 24 hours, researchers in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University have discovered. The group led by Dr. Richard Plemper, Distinguished University Professor at Georgia State, originally discovered that the drug is potent against influenza viruses. This is the first demonstration of an orally available drug to rapidly block SARS-CoV-2 transmission. MK-4482/EIDD-2801 could be game-changing.” Dr. Richard Plemper, Distinguished University Professor, Georgia State University Interrupting widespread community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 until mass vaccination is available is paramount to managing COVID-19 and mitigating the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic. Because the drug can be taken by mouth, treatment can be started early for a potentially three-fold benefit: inhibit patients’ progress to severe disease, shorten the infectious phase to ease the emotional and socioeconomic toll of prolonged patient isolation and rapidly silence local outbreaks. “We noted early on that MK-4482/EIDD-2801 has broad-spectrum activity against respiratory RNA viruses and that treating infected animals by mouth with the drug lowers the amount of shed viral particles by several orders of magnitude, dramatically reducing transmission,” said Plemper. “These properties made MK-4482/EIDD/2801 a powerful candidate for pharmacologic control of COVID-19.” In the study published in Nature Microbiology, Plemper’s team repurposed MK-4482/EIDD-2801 against SARS-CoV-2 and used a ferret model to test the effect of the drug on halting virus spread. “We believe ferrets are a relevant transmission model because they readily spread SARS-CoV-2, but mostly do not develop severe disease, which closely resembles SARS-CoV-2 spread in young adults,” said Dr. Robert Cox, a postdoctoral fellow in the Plemper group and a co-lead author of the study. The researchers infected ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 and initiated treatment with MK-4482/EIDD-2801 when the animals started to shed virus from the nose. “When we co-housed those infected and then treated source animals with untreated contact ferrets in the same cage, none of the contacts became infected,” said Josef Wolf, a doctoral student in the Plemper lab and co-lead author of the study. By comparison, all contacts of source ferrets that had received placebo became infected. If these ferret-based data translate to humans, COVID-19 patients treated with the drug could become non-infectious within 24 hours after the beginning of treatment. MK-4482/EIDD-2801 is in advanced phase II/III clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2 infection. To read the original article click here.

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Could Pineapples Be a New Weapon Against COVID-19?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 07:00:52 +0000

Dr. Tomislav Meštrović, MD, Ph.D. via News-Medical Net – Results of a recent research endeavor from the United States indicate that bromelain or bromelain rich pineapple stem may be utilized as an antiviral agent against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but also for potential future coronavirus outbreaks. This exciting paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is already well-known for its rapid human-to-human transmission, responsible for the relentless pandemic spread of dangerous COVID-19. But every day, we learn a bit more about SARS-CoV-2 immunology. The initial interaction between Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2), primed spike glycoprotein (S-protein), and host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) is a pre-requisite for cell entry and COVID-19 pathogenesis. At the moment, infected patients are treated with different antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimalarial agents. Nevertheless, the response rate is relatively modest, and there is a need to confirm both the safety and efficacy profile of those drugs against COVID-19. But repurposing existing drugs or develop new (either virus-based or host-based) antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 is still a way forward. The pertinent question is, could we maybe use bromelain – a dietary supplement isolated from pineapple stem used to treat patients with pain, inflammation, and thrombosis – for COVID-19 patients as well? This hypothesis was tackled by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) in Silver Springin the United States, with rather exciting findings. Bromelain inhibits / cleaves the expression of ACE-2 and TMPRSS2, it cleaves / degrades SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and inhibits S-Ectodomain binding and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cloning and Expressing Recombinant Proteins Since ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 are full of cysteine residues that establish disulfide bonds to support the protein structure, this research group primarily appraised the effect of bromelain (which is a cysteine protease) on ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 expression. The full-length genome sequences of 45 SARS-CoV-2 isolates were analyzed in-depth. At the same time, the African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero E6) was chosen as the primary cell line utilized in this study. The researchers cloned and subsequently expressed SARS-CoV-2 S-protein ectodomain that contains insect cell secretion signal. Next, they have determined the interaction between the purified S-Ectodomain and human recombinant ACE-2 using surface plasmon resonance technology (i.e., real-time detection of biomolecular interactions). Finally, they have expressed SARS-CoV-2 S-Ectodomain tagged with a green fluorescent protein in Tni insect cells from Trichoplusia ni (i.e., cabbage looper). Surface resonance plasmon and Luminex assay were used to reveal the purified S-Ectodomain binding to human ACE-2, as well as immunoreactivity with COVID-19 positive samples. Multiple Ways of Halting SARS-CoV-2 “We demonstrate that bromelain (isolated from pineapple stem and used as a dietary supplement) treatment diminishes the expression of ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 in VeroE6 cells and dramatically lowers the expression of S-Ectodomain”, say study authors. More specifically, it was shown that bromelain decreases the expression of both ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 in a dose-dependent manner in Vero E6 cells. Moreover, bromelain’s cysteine proteolytic activity was notably higher in ACE-2 when compared to TMPRSS2. Even more important was the finding that the bromelain treatment was able to halt the interaction between S-Ectodomain and Vero E6 cells, significantly diminishing the SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cell line. Furthermore, this study indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein has both highly sialylated N- and O-linked glycans, and bromelain managed to cleave it. Consequently, a loss of negatively charged sialic acid groups in the N- and O-linked glycans may cause a decreased mobility shift of S-Ectodomain. Bromelain as a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral “For the first time, our results demonstrate that bromelain can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting all three host ACE-2 and TMPRSS2, and SARS-CoV-2 S-proteins”, summarize study authors in this bioRxiv paper. Previous studies have demonstrated that bromelain can be utilized to treat patients with inflammation and pain and that the compound is well absorbed and with prolonged biological activity. All of these advantages can be exploited when treating patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, either bromelain or bromelain rich pineapple stem represents a viable option as an antiviral for treating not only COVID-19 but also potential future outbreaks of other coronaviruses. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

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Maximizing Your Immunity with Vitamin D

AHA Publisher — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 07:00:03 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – I have been talking about the overwhelming importance of vitamin D3. Especially in these uncertain times. Since then, nothing but silence from the media. Here’s the takeaway: When you maintain robust levels of vitamin D3 your risk is extremely low. Today I will show you how to find (and hit) your ideal D3 levels for bullet-proof immunity. How Much Is Enough? As one of the first doctors in the country to test vitamin D levels, many of my patients were surprised by how low their vitamin D levels were. Based on recent studies, vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL correlate to better protection.1 While helpful, 30 ng/mL is on the lower end of where I want you to be. For my patients, I want them somewhere between 60 ng/mL and 80 ng/mL, especially as we approach the fall season.2 Here’s how you can bring up and maintain your vitamin D levels. 2 Easy Ways to Maintain Optimal Vitamin D3 If your vitamin D levels are low, here are some ways of raising them: • Get some sun. As I discussed in my book Your Best Health Under the Sun, sunshine is essential for letting your body make its own vitamin D. Getting midday sunlight for about 10 to 15 minutes a day will give you between 3,000 and 5,000 IU of vitamin D3. But just know that it’s not enough to just take a walk. You need to expose the skin that’s usually covered up. If you always wear a shirt when you’re out, try taking your shirt off. Even sitting in your backyard for a few minutes is helpful. Getting sun when you’re all covered up will not have the same effect. • Take a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement. As great as sunshine is, it isn’t always available because of weather, season, or working indoors. I recommend taking vitamin D3, known as cholecalciferol. It’s the same vitamin D3 your body produces. Just be sure to avoid the synthetic form of vitamin D2 in most multivitamins because it is less potent and less absorbable. I recommend 2,000 IU via supplement daily, preferably in the morning but never at night because vitamin D is inversely related to melatonin, and may keep you awake. However, this is the minimum. Depending on how low your vitamin D levels are, you may need 5,000 IU to 8,000 IU of vitamin D3 to keep your levels in the optimum range. I strongly recommend getting your vitamin D levels tested by your doctor. It’s an easy test for them to order. It lets you know right away where you stand, and it also helps you understand how much you need to supplement daily to maintain your target goals. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References 1. Grant WB, et al. “Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths.” Nutrients. 2020;12(4):E988. 2. Tello M. “Vitamin D: What’s the “right” level?” Harvard Health Publishing. Updated April 16, 2020. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Al Sears, MD click here.

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Turmeric Could Have Antiviral Properties

AHA Publisher — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 07:00:14 +0000

Microbiology Society via EurekAlert – Curcumin, a natural compound found in the spice turmeric, could help eliminate certain viruses. A study published in the Journal of General Virology showed that curcumin can prevent Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) – an alpha-group coronavirus that infects pigs – from infecting cells. At higher doses, the compound was also found to kill virus particles. Infection with TGEV causes a disease called transmissible gastroenteritis in piglets, which is characterised by diarrhoea, severe dehydration and death. TGEV is highly infectious and is invariably fatal in piglets younger than two weeks, thus posing a major threat to the global swine industry. There are currently no approved treatments for alpha-coronaviruses and although there is a vaccine for TGEV, it is not effective in preventing the spread of the virus. To determine the potential antiviral properties of curcumin, the research team treated experimental cells with various concentrations of the compound, before attempting to infect them with TGEV. They found that higher concentrations of curcumin reduced the number of virus particles in the cell culture. The research suggests that curcumin affects TGEV in a number of ways: by directly killing the virus before it is able to infect the cell, by integrating with the viral envelope to ‘inactivate’ the virus, and by altering the metabolism of cells to prevent viral entry. “Curcumin has a significant inhibitory effect on TGEV adsorption step and a certain direct inactivation effect, suggesting that curcumin has great potential in the prevention of TGEV infection,” said Dr Lilan Xie, lead author of the study and researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Bioengineering. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the replication of some types of virus, including dengue virus, hepatitis B and Zika virus. The compound has also been found to have a number of significant biological effects, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Curcumin was chosen for this research due to having low side effects according to Dr Xie. They said: “There are great difficulties in the prevention and control of viral diseases, especially when there are no effective vaccines. Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, are ideal screening libraries for antiviral drugs because of their advantages, such as convenient acquisition and low side effects.” The researchers now hope to continue their research in vivo, using an animal model to assess whether the inhibiting properties of curcumin would be seen in a more complex system. “Further studies will be required, to evaluate the inhibitory effect in vivo and explore the potential mechanisms of curcumin against TGEV, which will lay a foundation for the comprehensive understanding of the antiviral mechanisms and application of curcumin” said Dr Xie. To read the original article click here.

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