Taiwan's latest study: Inhibiting the activity of SARS-CoV-2, five drugs such as perilla mint have potential

 Reporter : Song Yue / Editor : Yuan Mingqing / https://www.soundofhope.org/post/468170 / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The research team of Weng Qihui, an academician of the Taiwan Academia Sinica of the Republic of China, held a press conference on 27 January 2021 to announce that they had found 5 out of more than 3000 Chinese and Western medicines. They are drugs with potential to inhibit the activity of the virus SARS-CoV-2 (covi, CCP virus, novel coronavirus) including Chinese herbal medicine Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide RF3, mint and perilla extracts, etc.

Weng Qihui, former dean of the Academia Sinica, and Hong Shangcheng, a special researcher of the Genome Research Center, and other research teams focused on the collection of 2,855 small molecule drugs for animals and humans approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and 190 traditional Chinese herbal medicines and anti-SARS virus compounds synthesized by the team in the past were subjected to computer simulation statistical analysis, enzyme experiments, and cell experiments. 15 potential drugs were found from more than 3,000 samples, and hamster lung virus tests were performed. As a result, 5 types were selected. They have the potential to inhibit the activity of the CCP virus.

These 5 drugs include the anti-malarial drug Mefloquine, the anti-AIDS drug Nelfinavir, the Chinese herbal medicine Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide RF3, peppermint and perilla extract. Hong Shangcheng said that according to the research results, Mefloquine can reduce the amount of the virus by up to 10 times, while the rest can be reduced by about 60% to 80%.

This paper was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on 15 January  2021. However, the research team also pointed out that this discovery has only completed cell and hamster tests, and has not yet been tested in humans. It has already applied for a patent. In the future, if a manufacturer can transfer technology, it will continue to conduct clinical trials for these five drugs with good experimental results. Experiments and formulating appropriate formulas will have the opportunity to be used as preparations for medicines in the event of a pandemic or emergency.

Weng Qihui explained that according to the team's analysis of the "Global Shared Influenza Data Initiative (GISAID)" virus gene database, it was found that in the 1273 amino acid sequence of the viral spike protein, more than 1,000 amino acids would have mutations. According to the current trend, the CCP virus may evolve into an infectious disease that will break out at any time. Coupled with the characteristics of rapid mutation, in addition to the development of wide-acting vaccines, screening of effective antiviral drugs from existing drugs and health products can be an emergency, making up the scope that the vaccine cannot cover, the best strategy is to take the medicine at home and avoid going to the hospital.

Liang Bihui, a professor at the Department of Pharmacy at National Taiwan University, pointed out that because perilla and mint are very easy to obtain, people can drink 1 gram of each of the two medicinal materials and drink 2,000 c.c. of water, which can also effectively inhibit the virus.