According to Mehr reporter, quoted from New Atlas, type 1 ierferons (IFN) are proteins that are released when viruses such as Influenzaplay the role of the first responders of the body. After binding to the receptors of infected and healthy cells, these proteins send a signal to hundreds of genes stimulated by ierferon (ISG) to be activated. This process creates an aiviral state in the body and limits the reproduction of the virus.
In this regard, a group of university researchers Shinsho In Japan, in a new study, they investigated the effect of cardamom seed extract on increasing the production of type 1 ierferons. The results of this research showed that this extract can act as a natural aiviral age.
Takeshi Kawaharathe assista professor of this university, explaining the purpose of the study, said: “We are investigating food items that can preve viral infections on a daily basis. The Corona epidemic has increased the atteion of the scieific community to the aiviral capacity of food and has provided new opportunities for research in this field.
In this study, human lung epithelial cells were used; Cells that are in the respiratory tract and play an importa defensive role against pathogens. Researchers prepared hot water extract of cardamom seeds and ideified its chemical compounds through gas and liquid chromatography. Investigations showed that the main composition of this extract 1,8- Cineol (Eucalyptol); A substance with ai-inflammatory, aioxida, aimicrobial and analgesic properties that is also used in traditional medicine.
The researchers treated lung cells with cardamom seed extract and its main compound (1,8-cineole) and then exposed them to molecules that mimicked viral infections. The results showed that cardamom seed extract increases the production of alpha and beta ierferon and the expression of genes stimulated by ierferon also improves This process makes the cells more capable of inhibiting the reproduction of viruses.
This effect was observed in both RNA and DNA virus clones, suggesting that cardamom seed extract can activate differe immune pathways and help the body defend against a wide range of viruses. Also, the combination of 1,8-cineole, even in the absence of simulated infection, increased the level of ierferons and related genes in a dose-depende manner; A topic that likely helps keep cells in an “immune-ready” state.
