Curcumin protects cells against invading viruses
Curcumin is a natural compound found in the spice turmeric. A recent study suggests that this natural substance helps the body to eliminate specific viruses.
Researchers at the Microbiology Society showed that Curcumin prevents various viruses from penetrating into cells. In the laboratory, documented trying to the Team, such as Curcumin unfolds a double anti-viral effect. The results were recently published in the “Journal of General Virology”.
TGEV – the Coronavirus of pigs
An infection with the so-called Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus (TGEV) gives in the case of piglets, a dangerous transmissible Gastroenteritis manifested by diarrhea and severe dehydration. In piglets younger than two weeks, the infection invariably to the death. In the global pig breeding at the end of TGE-Virus is the to the corona virus belonging to thus, a large threat, especially as there are in acute outbreaks, there is currently no approved treatment method against TGEV.
Curcumin with double anti-viral effect
In search of an appropriate therapy against the Virus, discovered by the researchers that Curcumin at higher concentrations reduced the number of viruses in cell cultures. The natural substance seems to inhibit the same two types of the virus. The results suggest that Curcumin binds to the viral envelope and the pathogen is thus inactivated. On the other, the turmeric-active ingredient appears to affect the metabolism of the cells so that the virus can not penetrate into the cell.
Also in the case of other viruses
The lead author, Dr. Lilan Xie stressed that the results of the study “suggests that Curcumin has a great potential in the prevention of a TGEV-has infection”. Due to the discovered anti-viral properties, the researchers test how other viruses on Curcumin respond. It was shown that the active ingredient in the laboratory, inhibited other types of virus, including Dengue Virus, Hepatitis B Virus and the Zika Virus.
Curcumin seems to be a veritable miracle
The Experiments suggest that in addition to the fact that Curcumin has a whole series of important biological effects. So to protect the researchers suggest that Curcumin also prior to the formation of cancer cells and an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the drug causes little or no side effects.
A Reservoir of natural healing substances
“The diseases are great difficulties in the prevention and control of virus, particularly if there are no effective vaccines,” explains the study author. Traditional Chinese medicine offers a large library of tried and tested active ingredients, which are not analysed by modern research methods.
Limitation of the study
So far, the effect has been observed only in cell cultures in the laboratory. The researchers want to test now the effect of Curcumin in an animal model, to verify the inhibitory properties in a more complex System. Only then is the anti viral action of turmeric can be assessed better.
TCM also showed at COVID-19 effect
The Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) showed even COVID-19-Concerned in China effect. Due to lack of appropriate therapies Chinese Doctors COVID-19-treated Diseased concomitantly with TCM, resulting in the recovery of the Affected beschleunigtte. You can find more information in the article: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can help against COVID-19. (vb)