Scientists from the Vektor Virology Center, together with colleagues from the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed and patented a promising compound against influenza, created based on an extract of Comarum salesovianum. This medicinal plant is found in the Gorno-Altai region, reports TASS.
The developers note that influenza is currently ranked first among all infectious diseases. Moreover, the evolution of the influenza virus continues, and new antigenic variants constantly emerge, causing annual epidemics of this disease.
The obtained compound exhibits activity against the so-called Hong Kong influenza strain (A/H3N2), which more frequently causes complications in elderly people, as well as against avian influenza (A/H5N1). The scientists used the roots of the Comarum salesovianum plant as raw material, and purified water or a 70% aqueous ethanol solution as the extractant.
“The invention pertains to the pharmaceutical industry, specifically to a method for obtaining a dry extract from Comarum salesovianum, an embryophyte with anti-influenza activity. The method allows to expand the arsenal of agents with antiviral activity against human and avian influenza viruses,” — states the patent documentation.
Comarum salesovianum is a perennial plant of the Rosaceae family, growing in the valleys of mountain rivers and on rocky slopes. It is found in Central Asia, as well as in Western Siberia (the Altai Republic).
Influenza causes significant damage to the economy: in 2023, it amounted to 9.8 billion rubles compared to 3.3 billion rubles the previous year.
