Can honeysuckle extract beat the flu?

[Suzanimal]

This is neat.

This simple concept was recently brought to bear with a study published in Cell Research that reveals that the honeysuckle molecule MIR2911 targets influenza A viruses (IAVs). The scientists say their study is the first to show that a natural product can directly attack a virus, although it has not yet been proven to be effective in humans.

Lead researcher Chen-Yu Zhang said, "This work is important because it identifies a plant molecule as the first, active component directly targeting influenza A virus.”

Ever since penicillin was discovered, we have had antibiotics to fight bacterial infections, but a natural product effective against viruses has remained elusive. Dubbing the boiled concentration of honeysuckle a "viral penicillin," the researchers from Nanjing University School of Life Sciences in China found that when mice were given the mixture, it directly blocked viral infection. The plant molecule appears to work by targeting the two genes that are needed for the virus to spread. It helped prevent infection with flu types including H1N1 (swine flu), and helped reduce death in mice from H5N1 (avian flu).

The researchers think the breakthrough could revolutionize the way we fight the flu virus and that we are now a step closer to creating a cure for flu, a virus that mutates so quickly it rapidly becomes resistant to treatments and vaccines.

"The plant molecule is ideal for suppressing IAV infection, and it is fully expected that the molecule-enriched honeysuckle decoction, will be widely used for treatment of IAVs infection," said Zhang.

Professor John Oxford, Britain's leading flu expert, said that it’s intriguing research but it remains to be seen whether or not it proves effective in humans.

"It's good that someone is working on plants at a molecular level,” said Oxford. “This piece of work is better than most and they have some animal data and have also linked levels of the active drug in tissue after drinking the extract.”

"They have got a long way to go to jump from this to human experiments,” Oxford added. “But the synthetic power of these plants appears to far exceed anything we can make. I still don't think the evidence here is going to revolutionize the world, but it is interesting stuff and I am pleased that someone is working on it and we should keep our finger's crossed and let's hope it works."


Read more: http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-we...#ixzz3HdAPpozf

[Working Poor]

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[Suzanimal]

thought you might like this:
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Cool, thanks!

[donnay]

Honeysuckle drink could fight off flu
A POTENT drink made from honeysuckle extract could be the key to protecting against winter flu.

By: Jo Willey
Published: Tue, October 7, 2014

Scientists have discovered a simple brew made from the humble plant can directly target the virus which causes misery for millions of Britons every year.

It is the first time a "natural" ingredient has been found which can not only protect against flu, but also slash the likelihood of some of its more virulent strains killing.

Experts from Nanjing University School of Life Sciences in China say their finding could lead to a simple way to protect against all "influenza A viruses", including the ones which trigger Britain's annual winter flu outbreaks.

They believe it could revolutionise the way the deadly virus is tackled and that it marks a major breakthrough in the search for a cure for flu, which rapidly mutates so it quickly becomes resistant to treatments and vaccines.

If the new discovery proves effective in humans, a huge number of lives could be saved by people protecting themselves with a regular drink, much in the way that people take a probiotic drink each day to boost good bacteria in the gut.

Lead researcher Chen-Yu Zhang, said: "This work is important because it identifies a plant molecule as the first, active component directly targeting influenza A virus (IAVs).

The plant molecule is ideal for suppressing IAV infection, and it is fully expected that the molecule-enriched honeysuckle decoction, will be widely used for treatment of IAVs infection

Lead researcher Chen-Yu Zhang

"Due to the rapid mutation and evolution of IAVs, it is almost impossible to prevent or cure the IAV infection by the same treatment. It is therefore urgent to explore novel therapeutic strategy.

"With this in mind, the plant molecule is ideal for suppressing IAV infection, and it is fully expected that the molecule-enriched honeysuckle decoction, will be widely used for treatment of IAVs infection."

Since penicillin was discovered nearly a century ago, antibiotics have been used to target various bacterial infections and have saved the lives of millions of people.

But so far, no natural product that is effective against viral infection has been identified.

Now, scientists have for the first time shown that a natural product they have dubbed a "viral penicillin" can directly target the flu virus.

Honeysuckle tea, which can be bought in UK health food stores, has long been drunk by the Chinese to ward off respiratory infections such as cold and flu.

Sometimes known as woodbine, honeysuckle has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties in traditional Chinese medicine and is considered one of the most important flowers for eliminating toxins from the body.

The research team, found the plant molecule called MIR2911 which is particularly potent in honeysuckle, directly targets different influenza A viruses H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9.

Highly-contagious H1N1 is swine flu which caused a global pandemic in 2009 infecting hundreds of thousands in the UK and killing almost 400, and H5N1 and H7N9 are both bird flu viruses.

Continued...

[presence]

I always tell my woman that when I have a cold... a little honey suckle and I'll be just fine baby.