INHIBITION OF SARS-CoV-2 VIRUS BY ARUM PALAESTINUM

#The present invention is broadly concerned with a new medicament for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the use of formulations comprising Arum spp., preferably Arum palaestinum, as effective agents inhibiting replication of the virus and the resulting COVID-19 disease.

#The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 mainly spreads through the air when people are near each other long enough, primarily via small droplets or aerosols, as an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, sings, or speaks.

#Transmission via fomites (contaminated surfaces) has not been conclusively demonstrated. It can spread as early as two days before infected persons show symptoms (presymptomatic), and from asymptomatic (no symptoms) individuals. People remain infectious for up to ten days in moderate cases, and two weeks or longer in severe cases.

#Methods described herein include those for inhibiting replication of coronavirus, and prevention or amelioration of COVID-19. In one aspect, the methods comprise (consist essentially or even consist of) contacting coronavirus with amounts of Arum palaestinum, effective to inhibit viral replication for an effective period of time. In another aspect, the methods comprise (consist essentially or even consist of) administering therapeutically or prophylactically effective amounts of Arum palaestinum to a human subject in need thereof. The subject may be at risk of viral infection or exposure to coronavirus and/or may be an individual identified as having been infected with coronavirus. Such individual may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Thus, “therapeutic” use of the formulation refers to processes that are intended to produce a beneficial change in an existing condition (e.g., viral infection) of a subject, such as by reducing the severity of the clinical symptoms and/or effects of the infection, and/or reducing the duration of the infection/symptoms/effects. Likewise, “prophylactic” use of the formulation refers to processes that are intended to inhibit or ameliorate the effects of a future viral infection to which a subject may be exposed (but is not currently infected with). In some cases, the formulations may prevent the development of observable morbidity from viral infection (i.e., near 100% prevention). In other cases, the formulations may only partially prevent and/or lessen the extent of morbidity due to the viral infection (i.e., reduce the severity of the symptoms and/or effects of the infection, and/or reduce the duration of the infection/symptoms/effects). In either case, the formulations are still considered to “prevent” the target infection.

#In their broadest aspects, the formulations used in the context of the invention comprise (or consist essentially of, or consist of) Arum spp., preferably Arum palaestinum, as the principal ingredient serving to provide health benefits. Other ingredients, such as adjuvants, carriers, vehicles, or dispersants may also be used. Among the active agents, the Arum spp., preferably Arum palaestinum, comprises respective quantities of β-sitosterol, isovanillin, and linolenic acid. In preferred forms, the invention involves the administration of a dosage form prepared using plant parts of Arum spp., preferably Arum palaestinum Boiss, which is native to the Middle East, and particularly Palestine and adjoining regions. This plant is of the genus Arum, family Araceae, subfamily Aroideae, and tribe Areae, and has a Nomen No. of 4357. The name was verified on Nov. 5, 1985 by ARS Systematic Botanists. The species priority site is the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center. The plant is also known by common names, including Black Calla and Solomon's-Lily.

#Dosage forms can be in liquid decoction forms or solid forms. Dosage formulations can be prepared using either fresh or dried Arum plant parts. In one or more embodiments, fresh Arum bulb or other plant parts (stems, leaves, etc.) are macerated into a pulp and extracted with aqueous ethanol and/or water. In one or more embodiments, the macerated plant parts are first subjected to air drying before extraction. In one or more embodiments, the macerated plant parts are first baked, followed by grinding into a powder before extraction. In one or more embodiments, the complete plant parts are first dried and then pulverized into a powder, which can be used directly or first extracted. It will be appreciated that it is not essential that all of the plant parts be used, i.e., use may be made of the leaves, and/or stems, and/or bulbs. Regardless, the resulting extracts can then be suspended in aqueous ethanol, centrifuged, and filter sterilized to yield the resulting dosage forms. If desired, the cooled mixture can be lyophilized (freeze-dried) to obtain a dried extract. This extract may be then put in capsule form or may be tableted to provide solid dosage forms.