Australian Scientists Discover That Sugarcane Extract Shows Promise in Fighting Respiratory Viruses
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 19, 2025 7 hours ago
Medical News: A Natural Solution to Combat Respiratory Infections
Researchers from The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, in collaboration with The Product Makers (Australia) Pty Ltd, have made an exciting discovery about the antiviral potential of polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE). This natural extract has shown the ability to restrict certain respiratory viruses, opening new doors for antiviral treatments.
Australian Scientists Discover That Sugarcane Extract Shows Promise in Fighting Respiratory Viruses
Respiratory viruses continue to pose significant health risks, especially in vulnerable populations. Influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) are among the most common causes of respiratory infections. Scientists have long been searching for alternative treatments that can effectively reduce the spread and severity of these infections. In this
Medical News report, we examine how PRSE could be a potential game-changer in the fight against viral diseases.
The Mechanism Behind Sugarcane Extract’s Antiviral Action
The research team investigated how PRSE interacts with respiratory viruses at a cellular level. Their findings reveal that PRSE does not induce an overall antiviral state in human cells, meaning it does not directly stimulate immune responses like interferon production. Instead, PRSE selectively affects how certain viruses enter cells, particularly through a process known as clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a key pathway used by several viruses, including IAV, RSV, and HMPV, to enter host cells and begin replication. PRSE was found to significantly inhibit this process, preventing these viruses from successfully infecting cells. However, viruses that use other methods to enter cells, such as human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3), were not affected by PRSE treatment.
Study Highlights and Key Findings
The study involved treating human lung epithelial cells with PRSE and then exposing them to different respiratory viruses. The results showed a significant reduction in viral replication for IAV, RSV, and HMPV. This suggests that PRSE has the potential to be developed into a broad-spectrum antiviral agent that targets viruses relying on clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Some of the most important findings include:
-PRSE inhibited influenza A virus replication in human lung cells by over 80%.
The extract blocked the entry of RSV and HMPV into cells, preventing infection and replication.
-PRSE had no effect on PIV-3, confirming that its antiviral action is specific to certain viral entry mechanisms.
-The treatment was well tolerated by human cells, showing no signs of toxicity or adverse effects.
These findings highlight the potential of PRSE as a natural antiviral agent that could complement existing t
reatments and reduce dependence on synthetic antiviral drugs.
Implications for Future Antiviral Treatments
The discovery of PRSE’s antiviral properties is a significant step toward developing plant-based treatments for respiratory infections. Unlike traditional antivirals, which often target viral proteins and may lead to drug resistance, PRSE targets a cellular process that viruses rely on to infect their host. This makes it a promising candidate for long-term antiviral strategies.
The researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to fully understand the potential of PRSE in clinical applications. Future research will focus on:
-Identifying the specific polyphenols in PRSE responsible for its antiviral properties.
-Testing PRSE in animal models and human trials to assess its effectiveness in real-world infections.
-Exploring the potential of PRSE in treating other viral infections that rely on similar cellular entry pathways.
Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that PRSE could be a powerful natural alternative to existing antiviral treatments. By selectively inhibiting viruses that rely on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, PRSE has demonstrated broad antiviral activity against influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus. Unlike many existing treatments that face challenges such as drug resistance, PRSE works by targeting a fundamental viral entry mechanism, making it a promising candidate for future antiviral therapies.
If further studies confirm its efficacy, PRSE could revolutionize the treatment of respiratory viral infections. This discovery is particularly valuable in light of the ongoing need for new antiviral solutions, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of drug-resistant viral strains. The potential of a natural, plant-derived extract to combat viral infections represents an exciting advancement in medical research.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Virology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042682225001138
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Medical News.
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