Emory University scientists have shown that two common wild plants contain extracts that effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect living cells. This is reported in an article published in Scientific Reports.

The researchers developed a method to rapidly test more than 1,800 extracts and 18 compounds from the Quave library of thousands of compounds extracted from plants and fungi around the world. For this, SARS-CoV-2 VLP virus-like particles with cells programmed to overexpress the ACE2 receptor on their surface were used. VLPs bind to ACE2, after which the green fluorescent protein is activated in the cell.

The plant extract was added to the cells in the Petri dish before the addition of the virus particles. The researchers identified several extracts that protected against virus entry and then focused on those that were most active.

In laboratory experiments, extracts of tall goldenrod flowers (Solidago altissima) and eagle fern rhizomes (Pteridium aquilinum) were shown to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells. Both plant species are native to North America and are known as traditional medicines by Native Americans. However, the active compounds are present in these plants only in small amounts. The researchers emphasize that it is dangerous to self-medicate with herbs, as they also contain poisonous substances.