COVID-19 medicine found in the extract of Neem Bark, scientists said. Image Courtesy – USA Today
Updated: 11-11-2020
The Scientists of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kalyani has shown a remarkable result in their research on COVID-19 treatment. A team of scientists under the leadership of Jayashri Das Sharma, the Senior Scientist, Department of Biological Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kalyani have been working there.
They have already succeeded in their medicine applying on the mouse. The extract of the barks of Neem is capable to stop the infection of coronavirus in the mouse. The scientific name of Neem is Azadirachta Indica. The research has already been recognized in the International Research Journal, ‘Frontiers Neuroscience’ on the 14th of April 2020. But, the human trial of the medicine was not possible there.
In the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kalyani, there is no infrastructure to apply it on the human being. So, the human trial has been started with the collaboration of the Karolinska Institute of Sweden. The result of the human trial to combat COVID-19 will be available very soon. IISER of Kalyani is now in the focus of the entire world.
Read: Ingredient in Ashwagandha can damage the infectious protein of COVID-19
How does it work?
The extract of Neem bark creates a shield against the coronavirus in the nervous system. It minimizes the development of Cytokinin that creates Nucleo Capsid Protein in the cell. The Neem bark extract can block the spike protein of the coronavirus, and for this reason, the virus fails to replicate and grow in numbers. The virus then becomes unable to reach the spinal cord from the brain, and also it loses its strength to travel from one cell to another.
Research oriented document published by the team of scientists
Why collaboration with Karolinska Institute?
The Karolinska Institute is a research-oriented medical university in Solna, within the urban area of Stockholm, Sweden. The institute covers different areas of studies like pharmacology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, medical microbiology etc. This medical university is Sweden’s single largest centre of medical research and it has the capacity to operate human trial for coronavirus medicine. This university also offers the widest range of medical courses and programmes in Sweden.
Scientific research shows that the extract of Neem bark has tremendous antiviral activity. Neem extract is used in various traditional treatments from the ancient era like cough, fever, asthma, intestinal worms, diabetes, low sperm count, piles, urinary disorders, gum problem, malaria, skin disease, leprosy etc. Neem has been one of the pillars of ayurvedic medicine from the past. Neem extract is used to destroy parasitic worms and it has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral property.
Conclusion
The study revealed that neem bark extract (Azadirachta Indica) has the property in preventing PLpro (papain-like protease) of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This PLpro is responsible for the replication of the virus. A range of 19 molecules of the neem bark extract was studied that showed potential docking ability with PLpro (papain-like protease) of the COVID-19. The study showed that the molecule Desacetylgedunin (DCG) present in neem bark extract has a tremendous impact on COVID-19. That is why the conclusion is made from the research that neem bark extract may help a great in the treatment of COVID-19.
