De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - UBC researchers have identified three biological compounds sourced in Canada that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells. All are derived from marine organisms, including a sea sponge from Howe Sound.
The discovery paves the way for the development of new medicines for COVID-19 variants based on natural sources. BC’s ocean and forest ecosystems may contain a wealth of new antivirals waiting to be discovered.
In a recent study, an international team of researchers led by UBC scientists investigated a catalogue of more than 350 compounds derived from natural sources -- including plants, fungi, and marine sponges -- in a bid to find new antiviral drugs that might be used to treat COVID-19 variants such as omicron.
This interdisciplinary research team is unraveling the important possibilities of biodiversity and natural resources and discovering nature-based solutions for global health challenges such as COVID-19..
--- Dr François Jean, senior author and associate professor of microbiology and immunology
The UBC team bathed human lung cells in solutions made from the compounds, then infected the cells with SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19. Of the hundreds tested, 26 compounds significantly reduced viral infection in the cells.
All three of the most effective compounds were found in Canada: alotaketal C from a sea sponge collected in Howe Sound, B.C., bafilomycin D from a marine bacteria collected in Barkley Sound, B.C., and holyrine A from marine bacteria collected in Newfoundland waters.
