Ingredient in rosemary acts against SARS-CoV-2

Carnosic acid , contained in the medicinal and culinary herb rosemary, can be used for  SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a January issue of the journal Antioxidants.

 

The publication describes how carous acid blocks the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the ACE2 receptor, which the virus uses to penetrate its host cells.

 

Scientists also provide evidence of the effect of acid in another ongoing inflammatory process in the human body, which is observed in more severe cases of COVID-19 and in other diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Carious acid inhibits this process.

 

Part of the team is Prof. Dr. Stuart Lipton, MD, chairman of the Step Family Foundation in the Department of Molecular Medicine and co-founder of the Center for New Drugs for Neurodegeneration at Scripps Research .

 

In a previous study from 2016, which examined the effects of caric acid, Prof. Dr. Lipton was again included.

 

Researchers then looked at carnosic acid activating an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant signaling cascade called the Nrf2 pathway, as well as the acid's ability to reduce symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, a disease in which inflammation of the brain occurs.

 

According to a new study, the ability of carnosic acid to inhibit inflammatory processes in various diseases may alleviate those occurring in coronavirus infection and post-COVID-19 syndrome.

 

In subsequent analyzes, the researchers found that the acid could directly block the infectious properties of SARS-CoV-2. As with higher doses, its activity and inhibitory effect increase.

 

Carnosic acid has an antiviral effect after its active form of inflammation and oxidation at the site of infection.

 

As a result of the obtained data, it can be seen that in its active form the compound modifies the ACE2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2 , which makes the binding of the virus to the corresponding receptor impossible and thus blocks the infection.

 

Prof. Dr. Lipton and his colleagues are now working with chemists from Scripps Research , such as Phil Baran and Ben Kravat, professors in the Department of Chemistry, to successfully synthesize more powerful carnosic acid derivatives with improved characteristics that can be used as medicines in diseases associated with inflammatory processes.