So-called nanoemulsions made from the plant-based active ingredients curcumin and quercetin could revolutionize the treatment of viral respiratory infections. Initial trials showed a promising prophylactic and therapeutic effect.
In a recent study, a Brazilian research team examined the effect of nanoemulsions made from curcumin and quercetin against viral infections of the respiratory tract. The results are published in the “European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences”.
Viruses often cause respiratory infections
One of the most common causes of respiratory infections are viruses that enter the respiratory tract, are absorbed into the human body through the respiratory tract mucous membranes and, above all, infect lung cells, the team reports.
However, such viral respiratory infections have so far only been treated to a limited extent and, given the side effects of synthetic antiviral drugs and the reduced effectiveness against resistant variants, an intensive search for alternative active ingredients is still ongoing. This is where curcumin and quercetin come into play.
Curcumin and Quercetin
Curcumin is a plant compound that occurs naturally in turmeric and is associated with numerous health benefits. For example, turmeric has a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect and can protect against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Quercetin, for its part, is contained in, for example, capers, lovage, onions, apples and chives. And thanks to quercetin, caper consumption, for example, supports the brain and heart and the plant pigment can also lower blood pressure – to name just a few of the health benefits.
The two natural compounds curcumin and quercetin show antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects that have already been extensively studied, emphasizes the Brazilian research team. However, poor oral bioavailability limits the clinical application of these natural compounds.
In the new study, they therefore examined whether nasal administration of nanoemulsions made from curcumin and quercetin is suitable for prophylactic and therapeutic use against viral respiratory tract infections.
Using special technical processes, the researchers created nanoemulsions with a particle size of 400 nanometers from the two plant compounds and analyzed their effect in vitro on the nasal mucosa of pigs.
Protection against viruses
Therapeutic and prophylactic effect
Apparently, the plant compounds inhibit the entry of viruses into the cells and a combined nanoemulsion of curcumin and quercetin can not only prevent the adsorption of viruses, but also reduce local inflammatory reactions, the team reports.
Overall, the nanoemulsion made of curcumin and quercetin appears to be well suited for therapeutic and prophylactic treatment against viral respiratory infections. However, the effect and safety must now be verified in further studies on humans. (fp)
