Cyanobacteria and anemones found in the Caribbean Sea have properties that inhibit the development of COVID-19, according to research by scientists from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia (USA).
According to Eduardo Caro from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the UPR, tests conducted for several months have shown that cyanobacteria and anemones found on the coast of Puerto Rico have strong antiviral properties and can be used in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Caro referred to the previous research confirming the strong properties of sea algae related to the treatment of other diseases, including tumors. A study by scientists from the USA and Puerto Rico has shown that cyanobacteria living on the shores of this Caribbean island have a high potential, he noted.
“Cyanobacteria produce natural substances that inhibit the processes typical of infectious diseases (…), which is why we are looking for solutions to fight COVID-19 in these organisms,” added Eduardo Caro.
The Puerto Rican researcher noted that by spring 2021, a team from the UPR and the Institute in Philadelphia intends to develop a drug against COVID-19 based on marine organisms living in the Caribbean Sea, mainly cyanobacteria. He added that the next stage, which will take much longer, will be the commercialization of this preparation.
“We are particularly interested in seeing a new drug based on these marine organisms have a therapeutic effect on infected lung cells,” said Caro.
The daily “El Mundo”, describing the first conclusions of the work of the research team led by Caro, recalled that the university in Vigo, Spain, has also been working on the use of cyanobacteria in dietetics for several months.
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