Researchers have identified promising antiviral compounds derived from the Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the lotus, and Kaempferia parviflora, also referred to as Thai ginseng, demonstrating their ability to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus effectively.
With the COVID-19 pandemic causing significant global health challenges, the search for new antiviral compounds has intensified. A recent study published on January 1, 2025, highlights the virucidal and antiviral properties of bioactive compounds extracted from these plants. By analyzing neferine and nuciferine, the study reveals improved efficacy associated with their salt forms compared to their free-base counterparts.
The pandemic's ramifications have emphasized the need for alternative therapeutics amid rising concerns over antiviral drug resistance. Previous antiviral drugs authorized by regulatory bodies, such as remdesivir, molnupiravir, and Paxlovid, have shown varying degrees of effectiveness, but the emergence of resistant virus strains has created urgency for discovering new, effective solutions.
N. nucifera and K. parviflora are two traditional medicinal plants with known health benefits and have been used for centuries. Research indicates N. nucifera contains numerous compounds with antiviral, anti-tumor, and immune-modulating activities. Its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 was previously signaled through computational studies.
On the other hand, K. parviflora, widely utilized in Thailand, has been confirmed to possess anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, with prior studies illustrating its potential against avian influenza.
The current research involved isolations from the lotus and Thai ginseng to evaluate their activities against COVID-19. The extraction process included various solvents to yield distinct bioactive compounds. Neferine and nuciferine, identified as alkaloids from the lotus, were found to exhibit significant antiviral effects.
Crucially, the study demonstrates the role of organic salts, with neferine derived salt surpassing the free-base form's activity by 7.5 times, with enhanced virucidal and reduced cytotoxicity. Other findings revealed nuciferine’s salt showed marginal improvements as well.
The flavonoids extracted from K. parviflora also displayed notable properties, with one component, 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, exhibiting virucidal activity, though no direct inhibition on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease was found.
The outcomes signify substantial therapeutic potential for these traditional plants, reinforcing herbal medicine's relevance as candidates for antiviral therapeutics. Neferine salt’s enhanced effects suggest considerable promise for future antiviral development against SARS-CoV-2. The study emphasizes continued exploration of plant-derived compounds to expand the repertoire of available antiviral agents.
Overall, the findings are encouraging, emphasizing the importance of organic salts and natural products as potential tools to mitigate the effects of still-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants and improve therapeutic strategies against COVID-19.