Compounds from
elderberries can directly inhibit the virus's entry and replication in human
cells, and can help strengthen a person's immune response to the virus.
Folk medicines and herbal products have been used for
millennia to combat a whole range of ailments, at times to the chagrin of
modern scientists who have struggled to explain their medicinal benefits.
However, a recent
study by a group of Chemical and Biomlolecular Engineering researchers from the
University of Sydney's Faculty of Engineering and IT has determined exactly how
a popular ancient remedy, the elderberry fruit, can help the fight against
influenza.
Although elderberry's flu-fighting properties have long been
observed, the group performed a comprehensive examination of the mechanism by
which phytochemicals from elderberries combat influenza infections.
"What our study has shown is that the common elderberry has
a potent direct antiviral effect against the flu virus," said Dr Golnoosh
Torabian.
"It inhibits the early stages of an infection by blocking
key viral proteins responsible for both the viral attachment and entry into the
host cells."
The researchers used commercially farmed elderberries which were
turned into a juice serum and were applied to cells before, during and after
they had been infected with the influenza virus.
The phytochemicals from the elderberry juice were shown to be
effective at stopping the virus infecting the cells, however to the surprise of
the researchers they were even more effective at inhibiting viral propagation
at later stages of the influenza cycle when the cells had already been infected
with the virus.
"This observation
was quite surprising and rather significant because blocking the viral cycle at
several stages has a higher chance of inhibiting the viral infection”.
In addition to that,
we identified that the elderberry solution also stimulated the cells to release
certain cytokines, which are chemical messengers that the immune system uses
for communication between different cell types to coordinate a more efficient
response against the invading pathogen.
Otherwise known as sambucus nigra, the black elderberry is a
small, antioxidant rich fruit common to Europe and North America that is still
commonly consumed as a jam or wine. For medicinal benefits, elderberry extract
is available commercially in tablet or syrup form.
The influenza virus is one of the leading causes of mortality
worldwide, affecting nearly 10 per-cent of the world population and
contributing to one million deaths annually.
Source: University of Sydney
Virology and Microbiology Congress 2019 organizing committee invites the participants across the globe to attend its annual flagship conference, 2nd World Congress on Virology and Microbiology which is going to take place during September 09-10, 2019 at Bangkok, Thailand.
Organized around the theme "Recent Advances in Virology and Microbiology towards Healthier Life", Virology and Microbiology Congress 2019 is comprised of various sessions designed to offer comprehensive symposiums that address current Advances in the field of Virology and Microbiology and provides fantastic opportunity to network with your peers from Academia and Pharmaceutical industry.
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