This discovery was made by researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA), whose article published in the journal Communications Biology.
We are talking regarding sulforaphane, a biologically active organic compound that is present in excess not only in broccoli, but also in cauliflower, kohlrabi, watercress, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, arugula, spinach, kale and other cruciferous plants. Sulforaphane has an antibacterial effect, in addition, it has been found to have anti-cancer properties.
With the onset of the pandemic, scientists decided to test whether sulforaphane also had an anti-coronavirus effect. Laboratory experiments have shown that this compound inhibits the reproduction of six strains of SARS-CoV-2 by 50%, including delta and omicron, as well as another coronavirus that causes common cold. Moreover, sulforaphane is able both to protect healthy cells from the penetration of the virus, and to help get rid of the virus to already infected cells.
Studies in mice have shown that sulforaphane is particularly useful as a covid prevention agent. So, compared with mice that were not given sulforaphane, animals that received 30 milligrams of this substance per kilogram of body weight before infection had a 17% decrease in viral load, that is, the number of viral particles in the lungs, and 9% in upper respiratory tract, as well as a 29% decrease in the area of lung damage. In addition, sulforaphane prophylaxis reduced inflammation in the lungs, protecting the animals from developing an overactive immune system response that kills patients with severe covid.
The scientists are now planning to start clinical trials of sulforaphane. As the researchers note, if the results of the experiments are confirmed, the relatively inexpensive and safe sulforaphane supplements already on the market can become an affordable and effective means of preventing and treating covid.
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