A new study has found that a recently discovered antiviral (thapsigargin) blocks Covid-19 infection in cell cultures. The compound is found in the roots of the plant Thapsia Garganica -- commonly called the “deadly carrot.”
The root has been used for years in ayurvedic and folk medicine practices to treat pain, lung diseases, and even infertility in females. The new study found that each variant of Covid-19 was sensitive to the compound, excluding new research on the Omnicron variant.
The research has taken place at the University of Nottingham in the UK, and also sought to identify differences in the infection abilities of the various Covid-19 variants. The study even analyzed the impacts of infection with two of the variants at the same time on a cell culture -- known as coinfection.
In a previous study by the same authors, the “deadly carrot” compound was sued in very small doses to successfully block the replications of an early SARS-CoV-2 variant, as well as common influenza and even cold viruses.
The authors of the study acknowledge the difficulty that comes with developing antiviral treatments in comparison to vaccines, but see the new finding as a potential route forward that would not be susceptible to the virus’s continued mutations.
The study authors claim: “The antiviral potency of [thapsigargin] has now been extended to contemporary SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the [Delta] variant, in all combinations of single- and coinfections. We therefore submit that [thapsigargin] is potentially a truly broad-spectrum antiviral that targets a growing list of viruses.”
Want to Learn More?
In addition to keeping you up to date on all things clinical trials, we also act as a digital CRO with a specific focus on patient recruitment and retention. We believe that patient recruitment and study startup (especially study design and study material) are heavily intertwined. After all, study design can make or break clinical trials, and the patient perspective should be considered when designing studies to ensure that patient targets are met not only on time but also on budget.
For Citruslabs, patient recruitment starts with study design and ends with trial completion. We recruit patients through our network of health apps, which enables you to connect with thousands of patients in real-time. The best part: these patients are already educated and prepared for the clinical trial process.
If you’d like to hear more about what we do, go here to read about what sets us apart, or here to read what our patients have to say about us.