Quercithin, the natural molecule that kills the coronavirus. “Found in abundance in capers”

Quercithin, a naturally occurring compound, acts as a specific inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The substance has a destabilizing action on 3CLpro, one of the proteins that underlies the replication of the pathogen, according to a study recently published in a journal.

The discovery is presented in a study launched by the Spanish Foundation hna, in collaboration with the Institute of Nanotechnology of the National Research Council, CNR-Nanotec in Cosenza, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, writes the Italian publication Il Messagero.

Simultaneously with the preparation of an effective vaccine, the development of specific antiviral drugs for the coronavirus responsible for Covid-19 is another important branch of studies that has caught the attention of scientists.

New research, led by Bruno Rizzuti of CNR-Nanotec with a group of researchers in Zaragoza and Madrid, shows that quercetin, by blocking the enzymatic activity of 3CLpro, is “lethal” for Sars-CoV-2.

Computer simulations have shown that quercetin acts exactly on the active site of the 3CLpro protein, preventing it from working properly. Right now, the molecule is already at the same level as the best available antivirals against coronavirus, but none are approved as a drug.

In the first phase of the work, the sensitivity to different conditions of temperature and pH was studied, with different experimental techniques: an important result, because many groups are working on 3CLpro as a possible pharmacological target, because it is strongly conserved in all types of coronavirus . For this protein, molecules that act as inhibitors have already been described in the literature, but cannot be used as drugs due to their side effects ”, explains Olga Abian from the University of Zaragoza, first author of the study.

Quercetin properties

“It is abundant in common vegetables, such as capers, red onions and radishes, and is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiproliferative properties. Its pharmacokinetic properties are also known and well tolerated by man.”, Explain the CNR researchers.

Furthermore, “quercithin” can be easily modified to develop an even stronger synthesis molecule, due to its small size and special functional groups present in its chemical structure, since it cannot be patented, anyone can use it as a starting point to U.S. investigation “.

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