Role of Natural Grapefruit Seed Extract Against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers wanted to study the effect grapefruit seed extract had on SARS-CoV-2 to see if it was a potential inhibitor of molecular docking. Using in silico method they found that, “antiviral activity of grapefruit extract, both fractional and combined suggest it could be used as a highly biologically potent adjuvant treat­ment for COVID-19.” An adjuvant is a substance used to increase the efficacy or potency of a drug or treatment. The study also made an important conclusion that natural extracts “have proven to be more effective as treatment (antibacterial or cytotoxic) than synthet­ically obtained pure derivatives.”

Saric, B., Tomic, N., Kalajdzic, A., Pojskic, N., & Pojskic, L. (2021). In silico analysis of selected components of grapefruit seed extract against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The EuroBiotech Journal, 5(s1), 5–12.