2020 Odissea dei Virus...

Una società che a livello mondiale si presenta sempre più evoluta, sempre più tecnologica, sempre più virtuale, sempre più proiettata verso grandi conquiste, viene messa in serio pericolo da un minuscolo frammento di DNA, un virus, che spaventa il mondo intero, che fa crollare le borse asiatiche e che trascina con sè un universo di paure e di reazioni a catena. Parliamo del CORONAVIRUS.

Batteri sempre più resistenti agli antibiotici per un loro uso indiscriminato, batteri che arrivano nel sangue e creano predisposizioni all’infarto e a malattie cardiovascolari, virus verso i quali non abbiamo armi se non i pochi vaccini che si sono dimostrati efficaci, ora è arrivato addirittura un raro virus che, come altri, non risente di terapie efficaci, che rischia di creare un collasso mondiale… un’apocalisse! e noi che facciamo? Stiamo a guardare mettendo in atto strategie difensive che erano in uso durante il medioevo come se 400/500 anni di storia non fossero trascorsi. Nelle famose pestilenze del ‘600 che cosa facevano i “dottori” dell’epoca? Come si difendevano? Oggi nei confronti di virus, batteri, funghi ed altri microrganismi che vogliono manifestare il loro diritto alla vita, che cosa possiamo opporre per non essere noi a rimetterci nel confronto?

Ci sono molti studi scientifici condotti anche presso il nostro Istituto Superiore di Sanità che possono essere presi in considerazione dal momento che in questo caso la scienza medica attuale non “ha nulla” da offrire e il cui uso non è nocivo e non confligge con i canoni etici, morali, deontologici e professionali. 

Gli oli essenziali sono molecole chimiche aromatiche molto studiate e i cui effetti sono ben noti e documentati attraverso l’utilizzo di prove scientifiche in vitro e in vivo incontrovertibili. Cito ad esempio l’aromatogramma ovvero un antibiogramma che allo stesso modo degli antibiotici ci indica l’olio essenziale in grado di distruggere quel microrganismo messo in coltura.

Numerosi lavori clinici condotti in vari centri di ricerca a livello mondiale e pubblicati su PUBMED, un sito specializzato medico di riferimento assoluto (lavori che possiamo mettere a disposizione) dimostrano come tali sostanze chimiche di origine naturale, prodotte dalle piante per una loro autodifesa, siano in grado di esercitare una attività spasmolitica, immunomodulante, antiallergica, antinfiammatoria, analgesica, antivirale, antibatterica e antimicotica.

Pertanto riteniamo che in questa che sembra una “nuova peste”, oltre a mettere in campo tutti i vari momenti preventivi proposti dalle autorità sanitarie preposte, OMS in testa, bisogna prendere in considerazione un farmaco tratto dal mondo vegetale, come tanti altri del resto, composto da innumerevoli molecole aromatiche e da altri composti chimici, in grado di opporsi efficacemente al virus in questione. Riteniamo pertanto che sia opportuno fare ricorso, sotto la guida di esperti del settore, agli oli essenziali che hanno avuto “accreditamento” dalla scienza ufficiale attraverso lavori sperimentali.

J Med Virol. 2020 Jan 25. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25685. [Epub ahead of print]

Coronavirus Infections and Immune Responses.

Li G1,2, Fan Y3, Lai Y3, Han T3, Li Z2, Zhou P1, Pan P2, Wang W1, Hu D4, Liu X3, Zhang Q5, Wu J1,4.

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Abstract

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are by far the largest group of known positive-sense RNA viruses having an extensive range of natural hosts. In the past few decades, newly evolved Coronaviruses have posed a global threat to public health. Immune response is essential to control and eliminate CoV infections, however, maladjusted immune responses may result in immunopathology and impaired pulmonary gas exchange. Gaining a deeper understanding of the interaction between Coronaviruses and the innate immune systems of the hosts may shed light on the development and persistence of inflammation in the lungs and hopefully can reduce the risk of lung inflammation caused by CoVs. In this review, we provide an update on CoV infections and relevant diseases, particularly the host defense against CoV-induced inflammation of lung tissue, as well as the role of the innate immune system in pathogenesis and clinical treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Virus Res. 2010 Apr;149(1):86-94. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.01.006. Epub 2010 Jan 21.

Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus susceptibility to botanical oleoresins and essential oils in vitro and in vivo.

Jackwood MW1, Rosenbloom R, Petteruti M, Hilt DA, McCall AW, Williams SM.

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Abstract

Anti-coronaviral activity of a mixture of oleoresins and essential oils from botanicals, designated QR448(a), was examined in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) with QR448(a) reduced the virus titer as measured in two laboratory host systems, Vero E6 cells and embryonating eggs. The effect of QR448(a) on IBV in chickens was also investigated. Administering QR448(a) to chickens at a 1:20 dilution by spray, 2h before challenge with IBV was determined to be the most effective treatment. Treatment decreased the severity of clinical signs and lesions in the birds, and lowered the amount of viral RNA in the trachea. Treatment with QR448(a) protected chickens for up to 4 days post-treatment from clinical signs of disease (but not from infection) and decreased transmission of IBV over a 14-day period. Anti-IBV activity of QR448(a) was greater prior to virus attachment and entry indicating that the effect is virucidal. In addition, QR448(a) had activity against both Massachusetts and Arkansas type IB viruses, indicating that it can be expected to be effective against IBV regardless of serotype. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the in vivo use of a virucidal mixture of compounds effective against the coronavirus IBV.

Microb Pathog. 2018 Jan;114:124-128. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.11.026. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Astragalus polysaccharides inhibit avian infectious bronchitis virus infection by regulating viral replication.

Zhang P1, Liu X2, Liu H1, Wang W1, Liu X1, Li X3, Wu X4.

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Abstract

The avian coronavirus causes infectious bronchitis (IB), which is one of the most serious diseases affecting the avian industry worldwide. However, there are no effective strategies for controlling the IB virus (IBV) at present. Therefore, development of novel antiviral treatment strategies is urgently required. As reported, astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have potential antiviral effects against several viruses; however, the antiviral effect of APS against IBV remains unclear. In this study, we explored whether APS had the potential to inhibit IBV infectionby utilizing several in vitro experimental approaches. To this end, the effect of APS on the replication of IBV was examined in chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells. Viral titers were calculated by using the plaque formation assay, and the cytotoxicity of APS was tested by utilizing a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The expression of viral mRNA and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) mRNA transcripts was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR(qRT-PCR). IBV titers in infected CEK cells treated with APS were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that APS inhibited IBV replication in vitro. We also found that the decreased viral replication after APS treatment was associated with reduced mRNA levels of the cytokines IL-1B, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. In conclusion, these results suggest that APS exhibit antiviral activities against IBV and it may represent a potential therapeutic agent for inhibiting the replication of IBV.

Avian Pathol. 2011 Oct;40(5):491-8. doi: 10.1080/03079457.2011.605107. Epub 2011 Aug 18.

In vitro and in vivo effects of Houttuynia cordata on infectious bronchitis virus.

Yin J1, Li G, Li J, Yang Q, Ren X.

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Abstract

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus, causes infectious bronchitis leading to enormous economic loss in the poultry industry worldwide. Houttuynia cordata (Saururaceae) (HC) is a traditional Chinese medicine used in China. In the present study, the effect of HC on cell infection by IBV was determined using plaque assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The inhibitory effect of HC on IBV infection in ovo and in vivo was analysed using specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken embryos and chickens. Moreover, the effect of HC on cell apoptosis induced by IBV was investigated. Results showed that HC had more than 90% inhibition rate against IBV infection in Vero cells and chicken embryo kidney cells, and decreased more than 90% apoptotic cells caused by IBV. HC fully protected the SPF embryos, and had more than 50% protection rate in SPF chickens, against IBV challenge

Microbiologyopen. 2017 Aug;6(4). doi: 10.1002/mbo3.459. Epub 2017 Mar 14.

Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects of three essential oil blends.

Brochot A1, Guilbot A1, Haddioui L2, Roques C2,3.

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Abstract

New agents that are effective against common pathogens are needed particularly for those resistant to conventional antimicrobial agents. Essential oils (EOs) are known for their antimicrobial activity. Using the broth microdilution method, we showed that (1) two unique blends of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis EOs (AB1 and AB2; cinnamon EOs from two different suppliers) were active against the fourteen Gram-positive and -negative bacteria strains tested, including some antibiotic-resistant strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.01% to 3% v/v with minimal bactericidal concentrations from <0.01% to 6.00% v/v; (2) a blend of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Syzygium aromaticum, Origanum vulgare EOs was antifungal to the six Candida strains tested, with MICs ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% v/v with minimal fungicidal concentrations from 0.02% to 0.05% v/v. Blend AB1 was also effective against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses. With this dual activity, against H1N1 and against S. aureus and S. pneumoniae notably, AB1 may be interesting to treat influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections. These blends could be very useful in clinical practice to combat common infections including those caused by microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs.

Chemotherapy. 2019;64(1):1-7. doi: 10.1159/000501062. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Essential Oils for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections.

Schnitzler P1.

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Abstract

Infections with herpes simplex virus type (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 are distributed worldwide. Although standard therapies with acyclovir and other synthetic drugs are available, the safety and efficacy of these drugs are limited due to the development of drug resistance and adverse side effects. The literature on essential oils and isolated compounds was reviewed regarding their antiviral activities against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The present overview aims to review experimental data and clinical trials focusing on the antiviral activity of selected essential oils and isolated oil components. HSV was found to be susceptible to many essential oils and their constituents. Whereas some essential oils and compounds exhibit direct virucidal activity or inhibit intracellular replication, many essential oils and compounds interact with HSV particles thereby inhibiting cell adsorption. Ayclovir-resistant HSV strains are also susceptible to essential oils since their mode of action is different from the synthetic drug. There are numerous publications on the antiherpetic activity of essential oils and their isolated active compounds. This field of research is still growing, and more clinical trials are required to explore the full potential of different essential oils for the topical treatment of herpetic infections.

Nat Prod Res. 2018 Jun;32(12):1415-1427. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2017.1346648. Epub 2017 Jul 3.

Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of essential oils from Cedrus species.

Saab AM1, Gambari R2, Sacchetti G2, Guerrini A2, Lampronti I2, Tacchini M2, El Samrani A3, Medawar S4, Makhlouf H3, Tannoury M3, Abboud J4, Diab-Assaf M1, Kijjoa A5, Tundis R6, Aoun J1, Efferth T7.

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Abstract

Natural products frequently exert pharmacological activities. The present review gives an overview of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the Cedrus genus, e.g. cytotoxic, spasmolytic immunomodulatory, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Cancer patients frequently seek remedies from traditional medicinal plants that are believed to exert less side effects than conventional therapy with synthetic drugs. A long-lasting goal of anti-cancer and anti-microbial therapy research is to find compounds with reduced side effects compared to currently approved drugs. In this respect, Cedrus species might be of interest. The essential oil isolated from Cedrus libani leaves may bear potential for drug development due to its high concentrations of germacrene D and β-caryophyllene. The essential oils from Cedrus species also show bioactivity against bacteria and viruses. More preclinical analyses (e.g. in vivo experiments) as well as clinical trials are required to evaluate the potential of essential oils from Cedrus species for drug development.

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Cara Lettrice  e Caro Lettore,

sono Lady FLORA, la fanciulla che versa i profumi, dea della cosmesi naturale, che con passione, cura e concentrazione miscelo tra loro i preziosi oli essenziali. Sono la redattrice degli articoli di questo blog, che scrivo con amore e dedizione con lo scopo di diffondere la cultura dell'Aromaterapia e dell'uso di prodotti naturali per la cura e il benessere della persona, fisico, emotivo e mentale. Ti ringrazio per l'attenzione che dedichi alle mie pagine, se vuoi puoi scrivermi a ladyflora@flora.bio, sarò felice di risponderti. 

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