Substance present in leaves of the red copaíba, a tree from the Atlantic Forest, inhibits the action of the virus that causes the disease
Compounds extracted from red copaiba leaves (Copaifera shining), a tree endemic to Brazil found especially in areas of the Atlantic Forest, has multi-target action against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, from Covid-19. The discovery was revealed in conducted by an international team of scientists. It was supported by the (São Paulo State Research Support Foundation) and was described in an article in Scientific Reports.
Here is the article “Bioactive galloylquinic acids from Copaifera lucens as dual inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and RdRp proteins”.
The species was chosen for the research because the pharmacist, professor at FCFRP-USP (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo), has extensive experience in phytochemistry and pharmacology of species of Copaifera.
Previous investigations had already reported biological and pharmacological benefits of so-called “galloylquinic acids”, which are taken from the leaves of the red copaiba. Among the benefits are antifungal and anticancer activities in vitro e alivein addition to broad-spectrum antiviral properties.
According to the researchers, derivatives of the substance even showed significant inhibition against HIV-1 in biochemical assays and cell culture, with lower toxicity than other molecules tested for the same purpose.
How the study was carried out
To begin the work, the scientists prepared and characterized fractions rich in galloylquinic acids derived from the leaves of the species. Then, cytotoxicity tests were carried out to determine the safety of its introduction to hosts – this step serves to identify the ability to damage or destroy cells.
Antiviral activity was assessed using plaque reduction assays, a method used to quantify the ability of antibodies or antiviral compounds to neutralize viruses. The results indicate strong action against SARS-CoV-2.
The expressions of viral proteins and interactions with key targets were also studied, such as the receptor-binding domain of the Spike protein, which allows the virus to enter human cells, the papain-like protease (PLpro), an important enzyme for viral evasion, and RNA polymerase, an essential enzyme for virus replication.
Study results
The results revealed that galloylquinic acids showed strong action against the Covid-19 variant, inhibiting viral entry into cells, pathogen replication and expression of viral proteins. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of the substance can contribute to the regulation of the immune response of the infected individual, which is particularly relevant in more severe cases of the disease.
“An important aspect is the compound’s multi-target mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of resistance development. This is because many current antivirals only act on one viral protein, which favors this effect”, says Bastos.
“The integrated approach allowed us to understand not only how compounds work, but also how they act at a molecular level,” conta , professor at (Egypt) and Pompeu Fabra University (Spain), whose doctorate was completed at USP.
Rasha El-Morsi, from the same university, Lamiaa Al-Madboly, head of the Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Tanta (Egypt) and scientists from the University of Alexandria (Egypt) and the Czech Republic collaborated in the investigation.
There are still some steps for the substance to be transformed into a medicine against Covid-19, such as trials alive and clinicians. But, according to the authors, the research reinforces the importance of biodiversity and research with natural products as sources of innovative therapeutic candidates, in addition to reinforcing that Brazilian flora continues to be a rich and strategic reservoir for the discovery of new drugs.
This text was originally published by , on April 28, 2026. The content is free for republication, citing the source, and was adapted to the standard of Poder360.
