X-rays find antiviral compounds in common foods, a diabetes drug may help prevent serious COVID-19 symptoms, and researchers uncover how much virus infected people spread.
Antiviral compounds found in common foods
The screening showed that three chemical compounds called phenols bind to the enzyme: hydroxyethylphenol , isolated for the experiments from the henna treeis a compound present in many foods such as red wine and virgin olive oil and used as an anti-arrhythmia agent. Hydroxybenzaldehyde is a known anti-tumor agent and accelerates wound healing. It was isolated from the copperleaf, is an anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory effect and is found in green tea.
“We are pleased to contribute to the body of knowledge around COVID-19 therapies in general, with treatments that are widely available,” said Carolyn Bramante, MD, principal investigator of the study and an assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “Our trial suggests that metformin may reduce the likelihood of needing to go to the emergency room or be hospitalized for COVID-19.