Un drug that blocks the virus, trapping it and preventing it from escaping from the now infected cells. This is the all-Italian discovery published in the magazine Cell Death & Disease (Nature). In reality, it is not an unknown active ingredient. L'Indole-3 Carbinol (I3C), naturally derived, is already used for other treatments and is well tolerated by humans.

How the drug that blocks the virus works

The drug that blocks the virus is the result of an all-Italian work. The study announced in the past few hours was in fact coordinated by Joseph Novelli (lecturer at the University of Rome Tor Vergata) and by Pier Paolo Pandolfi (University of Turin), both also employed at the University of Nevada. In addition to the American, Canadian and French institutions, it sees the participation ofInfant Jesus Hospital, the Spallanzani Institute and the San Raffaele University. The team found that in order to escape from infected cells and spread to the rest of the body, Sars-Cov-2 exploits E3-ubiquitin ligase enzymes. High levels of these enzymes are present in the lungs of patients affected by the virus, and also in other parts of their bodies. Not only that: the researchers highlighted the presence of rare genetic mutations in the genes encoding the E3-ubiquitin ligase enzymes. Mutations, these, present in 1.300 patients severely affected by the Coronavirus. Hence the idea of ​​the drug that blocks the virus.

What is I3C

I3C, which is present in almost all cruciferous plants, seems able to inhibit the activity of enzymes. And, in vitro, it has shown its ability to block virus exiting from infected cells. One of its advantages is its easy availability: it is found in broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers. Enough to be used already as dietary supplement.

Why I3C could be a turning point

The drug that blocks the virus could represent a turning. Not only does it represent an additional weapon in the fight against Coronavirus: once approved, it could be used to treat all those patients who, for health reasons, cannot be vaccinated. Hope is high, and so is optimism. As I3C is already used for other treatments, it is thought that it can be approved in a very short time. "To have treatment options is of fundamental importance to save more and more human lives and contribute to a better condition and management of public health " commented Professor Novelli. “We have to think long term. Vaccines, while very effective, may no longer be so in the future. The virus mutates, and you need to have more weapons to fight it". The next stage? Start clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of the drug that blocks the virus. It is necessary to test its effectiveness, and to understand if it is able to reduce the very serious complications that some patients affected by Covid develop even after passing the acute phase of the disease.

Covid, the drug that blocks the virus arrives from Italy last edit: 2021-03-26T09:00:00+01:00 da Laura Alberti

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