The whole world is waiting and hoping for an effective remedy to defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, responsible for Covid-19. CNR researchers have discovered that there is a substance present in nature, quercetin, capable of destabilizing and preventing the replication of the virus itself.
The great work of scientific research
Scientific laboratories around the world have been working for months to be able to defeat the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which gave birth to Covid-19. We are trying in every possible way to create a pharmacological remedy capable of fighting the "monster" that is holding us prisoner in this 2020. The results obtained so far are promising and one will certainly be available shortly Vaccine, able to stop the pandemic.
We know how much scientists and researchers are working in a compact way looking at the same result. This has happened for other viruses, bacteria and diseases, which if not radically defeated, have received a brake, where access to medical care is possible and allowed. Il scientific progress technology has made great strides and the well-being of man is largely due to the solutions and remedies found by science. A great job at the service of all.
Quercetin, its properties discovered by Italian researchers
Alongside vaccine research, there are studies that explore nature and analyze the effects of natural molecules on Covid - 19. From this perspective, a new discovery emerges, made by an international study in which it also participates the Institute of Nanotechnology of the Cnr. Published onInternational journal of biological macromolecules, the study, states that a molecule of plant origin, quercetin, functions as a specific inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2.
The research group led by Bruno Rizzuti, of the Institute of Nanotechnology of the National Research Council (Cnr-Nanotec) of Cosenza in collaboration with i researchers from Zaragoza and Madrid. Quercetin has a destabilizing effect on 3CLpro, one of the key proteins for virus replication. Rizzuti states that "Computer simulations have shown that quercetin binds exactly to the active site of the 3CLpro protein, preventing it from performing its function properly." A result that goes beyond expectations and truly surprising.
Quercetin is a natural and readily available molecule
Quercetina according to Rizzuti is currently at the same level "Of the best antivirals available against coronavirus". The surprising thing is how easy it is to find this substance. It is present in abundance in many commonly used vegetables such as red onion, radicchio, and capers. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic properties. It is perfectly tolerated by man. Furthermore it can be reproduced and modified in the laboratory very easily, to obtain even more powerful molecules. Being present in nature, it does not need a patent: it is accessible to everyone. Surely to defeat Covid -19 a vaccine will be needed but, of course quercetin is one of the most promising molecules.
And to think that an element present in nature and which we all eat can be useful in defeating the virus is even more encouraging. This result has tickled the imagination of the producers of Italian agricultural products. Onion, radicchio and capers are part of the many foods at the base of the Mediterranean diet and knowing that not only are they good but they can also be useful for our health, especially at this moment has an added advantage. And so the producers of capers, red onion and radicchio are already applauding scientific research. A great help from nature and the earth and our researchers give us one more reason to be proud of being Italian.
