The potential of herbal extracts to inhibit SARS-CoV-2: a pilot study

Abstract Background Herbal medicinal products have a long-standing history of use in the therapy common respiratory infections. We sought to assess potential five validated herbal extracts regarding their ability restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication vitro : Bronchipret thyme-ivy (BRO TI), thyme-primrose TP), Imupret (IMU), Sinupret extract (SINx) and Tonsipret (TOP). Methods Vero cells were incubated with different concentrations infected for 48 hours. The inhibition viral was assessed by determination RNA load cell culture supernatant using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results reduced non-cytotoxic BRO-TP (up approximately 1,000-fold) and, lesser extent, IMU TOP (approximately 10-fold). Conclusions Some showed promising effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2, suggesting an antiviral products. medicines treat COVID-19 should be investigated further clinical setting.