A parasitic fungus-based coronavirus cure proposed by Russian vaccine developer

14:08 11.11.2020(updated 14:23 11.11.2020) Short URL

Specialists from the Vektor Center, which originated the second Russian coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona, determined that the extract of the chaga mushroom, a birch parasite, or oblique polypore, was effective against the virus, reports the journal Science edited in first person from the Siberian section of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Researchers from the Vektor Center for Virology and Biotechnology tested the antiviral capabilities of the fungus Inonotus obliquus against Covid-19. They claim that an aqueous extract of this birch parasitic fungus, also known as oblique polypore or chaga, has shown encouraging results in fighting the virus.

“These extracts have demonstrated significant inhibitory capacity against the SARS-Cov-2 virus. A strong protective effect and low toxicity of this fungus allow the antivirals created on its basis to be considered promising ”, indicates the media.

Researchers have applied for a patent for “SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus replication inhibitor based on mushroom extract Inonotus oblique“.

First they had pinned their hopes on befungin, a concentrated extract ofInonotus oblique, added to cobalt salts and ethyl alcohol, a drug already on sale in pharmacies. However, it proved ineffective against the virus.

Properties of a homemade herbal tea

The patent application contains several ways to prepare extracts, one of which could be used at home.

Professor Tamara Telpliakova, deputy head of the Vektor mycology laboratory, tested such a “home” extract on herself, her husband, her parents and colleagues infected with Covid-19. They all noticed that after five or seven days all symptoms of the infection had disappeared.

The researchers explain the therapeutic effect of the chaga mushroom by the biologically active components formed in the interaction between the birch and the mushroom, in particular the macromolecular melanins that generate anticancer activity, steroid substances, as well as polysaccharides, organic acids, flavonoids, etc.

“Surely new studies are needed to obtain a drug or dietary supplement based on Inonotus obliquus. In any case, an extract or herbal tea can be used for preventive purposes: to reduce the risk of viral and oncological diseases ”, concludes the article.