Hydrangea Leaf Extracts May Inhibit COVID Infection: Study

Extracts from hydrangea leaves produced in northeast Japan for "amacha" sweet tea may prevent the bonding of proteins involved in coronavirus infection, a research team in Kitakami City has found, according to Seiichi Yuasa's report for Mainichi Japan.

The team found a strong reaction to prevent the bonding of the spike protein and ACE2, produced by the compounds phyllodulcin and hydrangenol, which are present in amacha leaves produced in the prefecture's village of Kunohe.

The team from the Iwate Biotechnology Research Center will now proceed with empirical studies at the cellular level to confirm whether these extracts are effective in preventing human infection.

The surfaces of coronaviruses are covered with a protruding "spike protein." It is believed that when this protein binds to a cell surface protein, or receptor, called ACE2, the virus enters and infects the cell.

The research center has taken extracts from about 500 kinds of plants, including vegetables and herbs grown in the prefecture, and stores them in an "extract library" to search for useful ingredients.

In an attempt to find components from familiar materials that can inhibit coronavirus infection, the team mixed 110 kinds of extracts from the library with the two proteins and examined their effects.

As a result, they found a strong reaction to prevent the bonding of the spike protein and ACE2, produced by the compounds phyllodulcin and hydrangenol, which are present in amacha leaves produced in the prefecture's village of Kunohe.

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