Researchers from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata during their research have found that Neem extract derived from the bark of Neem tree has the antiviral properties against coronavirus and can be used to treat and reduce the spread of SARS-Cov-2 that is causing the deadly Covid-19 disease among the people.

According to the study by the researchers at the IISER, the Neem tree, indigenous to India, has been used for many hundreds of years for its anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. The bark extract has helped treat malaria, stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases and many other diseases.

According to Maria Nagel, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in US and who has co-authored the article on the potentials of Neem tree extract in fighting the viral diseases in the Journal Virology, the researchers at IISER tested the Neem extract in animal models and showed that it had antiviral properties against coronavirus. Using computer modeling, the researchers predicted that Neem bark extract will bind to the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein at various locations and prevents the coronavirus entry into the host cells and thereby contain the virus from causing disease.

“The main goal of the researchers is to develop a Neem based medication that can reduce the risk of serious illness when someone is infected with coronavirus. We are hoping that scientists won’t have to continuously develop new therapies every time a new SARS Cov-2 variant emerges as the Neem extract is enough to fight all kinds of variants,” informed Nagel.