(ORDO NEWS) — Chinese scientists studied the brown algae Ecklonia kurome and came to the conclusion that the polysaccharides they contain are capable of fighting the coronavirus. The discovery belongs to biologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Experts have studied the sugary compounds present in Ecklonia kurome found in the Sea of Japan. This seaweed is very popular among the Chinese population. Locals use them in traditional medicine recipes and consume them as food. The substances they contain are believed to block the formation of blood clots in the arteries and protect cells from radiation. In a new study, scientists decided to test how effective these algae will be against a new type of coronavirus infection.
Biologists have prepared solutions with SARS-CoV-2 particles. All of them were treated with substances isolated from Ecklonia kurome cells. The result showed that even a minimal amount of polysaccharide, the name of which has not yet been invented, is capable of stopping the multiplication of the virus. The compound is numbered 375. It actively interferes with the 3CLpro protein, which promotes the union of SARS-CoV-2 particles. Moreover, this sugar prevented the virus from associating with the ACE2 receptors, which help the pathogen to enter cells.
Successful results in cell cultures made Chinese experts think about the further stages of the research. Scientists will soon test how the polysaccharide from algae affects the development of coronavirus in animals. Then they investigate how safe it is to use it as a medicine.
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