Scientists from the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St. Petersburg Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Pasteur called the product that helps slow down the spread of coronavirus. Specialists have proven that black pepper contributes to this process, “Vedomosti” write.
One of the authors of scientific work, the chief scientific officer of INC RAS Olga Ostrumov explained that the drugs that block proteins on the surface of the human cell are attached to slow down the spread of COVID-19, which attaches an infection pathogen. For research, experts selected 20 different alkaloids, which were tested on models of viral and cell membranes in the presence of a coronavirus protein particle.
“Alkaloids of plant origin were used. For example, the most effective connection – piperin – is contained in black pepper, it has long been known and used as part of bioactive additives for various medical purposes,” said Ostrumov. According to her, this substance changes the virus lipid shell.
As a result of the effects of piperin, the virus shell loses the ability to merge with the membranes of human cells, as a result of which the infection does not penetrate into them. Thanks to this process, the distribution of COVID-19 stops. At the same time, the coronavirus will not be resistant to piperin, since its mutations almost do not affect the lipid shell. It is noted that the studied alkaloids can form the basis of the effective dietary supplements for the prevention and therapy of COVID-19.
Earlier, Canadian scientists found the protective mechanism against COVID-19 in the elderly. People over 50 years old produce more antibodies against SARS-COV-2.