Research: Ingredients in green tea contribute to the inhibition of Omicron . variant

A new study finds that two mutations in the nucleocapsid protein of the Omicron variant virus are more beneficial for the virus's replication in the human body. Research has also found that certain ingredients in green tea may be able to destroy the conditions favorable for this virus to multiply.

According to the Epoch Times, Dr. Lin Xiaoxu, an American virologist and former director of the Department of Virology of the US Army Research Institute, analyzed the mutation of the nucleocapsid protein of the US Army. Omicron variant virus and what components of green tea can inhibit viral replication. 

Omicron's special mutation enhances virus replication and reduces human immunity

In the past, we've all been paying attention to the viral strain on the mutant spike protein, because it can affect the vaccine's effectiveness the most. However, the mutation of the nucleocapsid protein is also important but often overlooked.

The nucleocapsid protein is a protein that coats the RNA of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It may promote the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 through a mechanism known as Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS).

A study in the scientific journal Nature has shown that if two key mutations, R203K and G204R, are present on the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2, it can promote LLPS and promote assembly virus. In addition, it can also inhibit antiviral substances.

Now, the Omicron variant has such a special mutation that helps the virus to assemble and replicate, which is an important mutation for the virus to form the next generation.

This mutation on the nucleocapsid protein can also effectively inhibit the human immune system's production of interferon. 

Research: The catechins in green tea can fight new corona virus variants and many other viruses

The study, published in the journal Nature, also makes another discovery. The catechin EGCG in green tea can prevent the nucleocapsid protein from entering the LLPS mechanism and at the same time inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2.

A study in the scientific journal Nature showed that the catechin EGCG in green tea can prevent the nucleocapsid protein from entering the LLPS mechanism and at the same time inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. (Screenshot of Nature magazine)

Another study, published in the August issue of the journal Cell Biology & Bioscience, found that the catechins in green tea can fight a variety of viruses, including the South African Beta variant, which turns out Alpha variant in the UK, the D614G variant that has spread around the world, the New York variant in the US, etc. 

Green tea is steeped in hot water at 90-95°C for 30 seconds, shaken 5-6 times, filtered and diluted to obtain a green tea solution for experimentation. The researchers found that the higher the concentration of green tea, the stronger the ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and variant viruses.

They also conducted further research on the types of catechins in green tea, including four: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC). Among them, EGCG is the most abundant catechin in green tea.

These 4 catechins can inhibit viral replication, in which, EC has the least effect and EGCG has the best effect. The study also showed that before and during infection, the catechin EGCG can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Regardless of the concentration of 50 μM or 100 μM, EGCG can inhibit the virus up to about 30% and is effective against Alpha and Beta variants.

A study in the journal Cell & Bioscience found that catechins in green tea can fight many viruses. (Screenshot from Cell & Bioscience magazine)

However, if EGCG is used 6 hours after infection, the inhibitory effect on the virus will disappear.

Although this study did not add the Delta variant to the analysis, it at least shows that EGCG is effective in inhibiting different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Not only SARS-CoV-2, catechin EGCG also inhibits many other viruses. The British Journal of Pharmacology summarizes the viruses that catechin EGCG can inhibit, including HIV, hepatitis B virus, enterovirus, influenza virus, etc.

Traditional medicine also believes that drinking tea can detoxify

Dr. Lam Xiaoxu commented, the aforementioned studies are all directed to green tea extracts, which does not mean that drinking green tea will definitely inhibit the Omicron variant virus. However, drinking green tea can be considered a healthy habit.

Dr. Sean Lin (Lin Hieu Huu), a virologist who used to be in charge of the virus laboratory of the US Army Research Institute.

In fact, people have had the habit of drinking tea for a long time. Traditional medicine has found that green tea has detoxifying, healing and antibacterial effects. What we have just talked about above is the experimental study of Western medicine, which is to separate the components of tea to see the effect of a certain ingredient, undergo studies and step-by-step testing to confirm. The effect of catechins in green tea on viral suppression.

This is the interesting difference between traditional medicine and western medicine.

Western medicine believes that the theory that traditional medicine put forward thousands of years ago should not be so reckless, but needs to do experiments on certain ingredients to verify. Both have their strengths.

Although a Western scientist, Dr. Lam Hieu Huu appreciates traditional medicine. He said his childhood asthma was cured with traditional medicine. A doctor in Fuzhou, China especially emphasized to him that every day he should wake up in the middle of the night and drink bitter grapefruit juice. 

Dr. Lam Hieu Huc shared, there is a very subtle thing about traditional medicine that is exploring life and matter from a different angle.

Research: Meditation enhances Interferon activity in the immune system

The Nature study above mentions that mutations in the nucleocapsid protein can also effectively inhibit the human immune system's production of interferon. Interferon is an important mechanism for the body to fight viruses, it responds to the mutation of the Omicron variant and is able to resist the destruction of the immune system.

In a study by Baylor College of Medicine, USA, it was found that the activity of a range of immune-related genes in the neutrophils of Falun Gong practitioners, including interferon-γ, was significantly higher. compared to the average person. The study results were published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

The Baylor College of Medicine study found that the activity of a range of immune-related genes in Falun Gong practitioners' neutrophils, including interferon-γ, was significantly higher than in the general population. . (Screenshot of Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)

Another important finding is that the immune cells of these people have a unique 'two-way regulatory mechanism'. Under normal conditions (without inflammation), their neutrophils have a longer lifespan than the average person, and phagocytosis (which helps attack bacteria as soon as these organisms enter the body) They are also stronger, thus leading to a better effect in protecting the body. In an inflammatory state, once neutrophils clear pathogens, they regulate cell metabolism, helping to quickly resolve inflammation and avoid the occurrence of 'cytokine storm' syndrome. ' (excessive immune response). Sign up for a meditation class to train both mind and body here.

Photo of Falun Gong practitioner Manon meditating in Ottawa.