Patented Korean Plant Extracts Show Powerful Antiviral Activity Against Flu and COVID‑19

Viruses have long been a persistent threat to humanity, from historic influenza outbreaks to the recent COVID‑19 pandemic. While modern medicine has made great strides with vaccines and synthetic antivirals, the emergence of viral variants and drug resistance highlights the need for new approaches. One promising avenue is the use of plant‑derived extracts, which plants have evolved over billions of years to defend against viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

New Korean Patents on Plant‑Based Antivirals

Researchers at the Gyeonggi‑do Forest Environment Research Institute have secured two patents—10‑2913936 for a composition containing 분비나무 leaf extract and 10‑2913937 for a composition with 운금만병초 extract. Both formulations demonstrated strong antiviral activity in laboratory tests performed by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology’s analysis centre.

Laboratory Results

In controlled experiments, 분비나무 extract inhibited influenza A (H1N1) virus by 99.999%, feline coronavirus (FCoV) by 92.06% and human coronavirus (HCoV) by 98.59%. The 운금만병초 extract showed a 99.96% reduction in human coronavirus activity.

Distribution and Value

The institute has made freeze‑dried extracts of 155 forest species—totaling over 20,000 g—available to local institutions at a price of 3,000 KRW per 10 mg, to out‑of‑province companies at 4,000 KRW, and free to government research bodies. This distribution represents a value of roughly 60억 9천만 KRW.

Did You Know? The research project that produced these extracts was funded with 13억 6,500만 KRW through a regional income‑development initiative.

Why Plant Extracts Matter

Plant compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and polyphenols can interfere with viral entry into cells and suppress replication. Unlike many synthetic antivirals that target a single viral enzyme, these natural substances often act on multiple sites, reducing the likelihood of resistance.

For example, catechins in green tea bind to viral envelope proteins, hindering attachment to host cells, while glycyrrhizin from licorice both blocks viral replication and moderates inflammation.

Safety and Application

Plants that have been used as food or medicine for centuries provide a wealth of toxicity data, making early‑stage safety assessment more straightforward than for entirely new synthetic drugs. However, “natural = safe” is not an absolute rule; each extract still requires rigorous testing.

These extracts are best suited for preventive measures and as adjuncts to conventional therapy, helping to modulate immune responses and gently curb viral proliferation rather than serving as high‑dose cures for acute infections.

Expert Insight: The Gyeonggi‑do initiative illustrates how leveraging local biodiversity can complement pharmaceutical development. While the high in‑vitro inhibition rates are encouraging, translating these findings into clinically effective products will require standardization of extract composition and careful clinical trials. Nonetheless, the approach offers a sustainable, low‑cost resource that could bolster pandemic preparedness, especially in regions where access to conventional antivirals is limited.

Future Directions

Combining traditional botanical knowledge with modern tools—genomic analysis, network pharmacology and AI‑driven screening—could accelerate the identification of active compounds and clarify their mechanisms. As the fight against viruses is a long‑term endeavor, a portfolio of strategies, including plant‑based antivirals, may prove essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What viruses were tested with the plant extracts?

The extracts were evaluated against influenza A (H1N1), feline coronavirus (FCoV) and human coronavirus (HCoV).

How effective were the extracts in laboratory tests?

분비나무 extract reduced influenza A by 99.999%, feline coronavirus by 92.06% and human coronavirus by 98.59%; 운금만병초 extract achieved a 99.96% reduction in human coronavirus activity.

What is the cost of the extracts for local institutions?

Local Gyeonggi‑do institutions receive the extracts at 3,000 KRW per 10 mg, out‑of‑province companies at 4,000 KRW, and government research bodies receive them for free.

Given these developments, how might plant‑derived antivirals shape future public health strategies?