Russian scientists develop antiviral influenza extract from Siberian plant

Researchers from the Vector Institute of Virology, in collaboration with the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed an extract from the Siberian plant Artemisia obtusifolia that demonstrates antiviral activity against two subtypes of influenza A: A/H3N2 and A/H5N1.

In laboratory cell culture experiments, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant showed relatively low toxicity and the ability to suppress viral replication. When compared to the established antiviral drug oseltamivir phosphate under identical conditions, the aqueous extracts proved most effective against the avian influenza A/H5N1 strain.

The extraction process involved using both above-ground and below-ground parts of the plant to produce a concentrated dry extract. While a patent has been filed for this discovery, researchers emphasize that these results do not constitute a proven cure. Further clinical trials are required to determine the safety, dosage, and efficacy of the extract in humans.