A domestic research team confirmed the flu virus inhibitory effect of lotus leaf-derived ingredients.
According to the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (Research Institute of Oriental Medicine), Dr. Jin-Yeol Ma’s research team (first author Dr. Cho Won-Kyung) at the Center for Oriental Medicine Technology Application found that lotus leaf extracts are essential for the infection and proliferation of influenza virus ‘Neuraminidase’ and ‘H. It was confirmed that there is an antiviral effect by inhibiting ‘Hemagglutinin’.
Hemagglutinin refers to a protein essential for the virus to attach to and penetrate cells in the early stage of infection when influenza virus replicates and proliferates within cells following infection, breaks the cells, and infects nearby cells.
Lotus leaves, which are produced in abundance around wetlands, have been known to have various effects such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, liver protection, and anti-obesity.
However, this is the first study to show that isoquercitrin, a component of lotus leaf extract, plays a key role in antiviral efficacy along with the influenza virus inhibitory effect of lotus leaf.
Through cell experiments, the research team confirmed that isoquercetin, a lotus leaf extract, inhibits the attachment and penetration process of the virus in the early stage of influenza virus infection and has the effect of directly killing the virus. In addition, it was explained that this ingredient showed excellent antiviral efficacy, such as showing an inhibitory effect even at the stage of virus propagation and release in cells.
Dr. Ma Jin-yeol of the Korean Medicine Technology Application Center, the head of the research, said, “Tamiflu has been mainly used as a treatment for flu until now, but there are problems with the emergence of resistant viruses and side effects.” We plan to conduct efficacy verification using animal models.”
The research results were published in the October issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IF 6.208), an international journal.
Meanwhile, this research was carried out with support from the main project of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the individual basic research project promoted by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
