Eating elderberries can help fight against influenza infection, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
Although elderberry's flu-fighting properties have long been observed, the group performed a comprehensive examination of the mechanism by which phytochemicals, compounds that positively affect health, from elderberries combat influenza infections.
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‘Compounds from elderberries can directly block the virus's entry and replication in human cells and can help increase a person's immune response to the virus.’
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"What our study has shown is that the common elderberry has a potent direct antiviral effect against the flu virus. It inhibits the early stages of infection by blocking key viral proteins responsible for both the viral attachment and entry into the host cells," said Dr. Golnoosh Torabian.
The researchers used commercially farmed elderberries which were turned into a juice serum and were applied to cells before, during and after they had been infected with the influenza virus.
![Lack of Antibody Diversity may Make the Elderly More Susceptible to Influenza]( "Lack of Antibody Diversity may Make the Elderly More Susceptible to Influenza")
Antibodies from aged individuals arise from cross-reactive memory B cells generated early in life, with reduced adaptation to recent influenza virus strains, said researchers.
The phytochemicals from the elderberry juice were shown to be effective at stopping the virus infecting the cells, however to the surprise of the researchers they were even more effective at inhibiting viral propagation at later stages of the influenza cycle when the cells had already been infected with the virus.
"This observation was quite surprising and rather significant because blocking the viral cycle at several stages has a higher chance of inhibiting the viral infection," explained Dr. Peter Valtchev.
"In addition to that, we identified that the elderberry solution also stimulated the cells to release certain cytokines, which are chemical messengers that the immune system uses for communication between different cell types to coordinate a more efficient response against the invading pathogen," said Centre Director, Professor Fariba Deghani.
The team also found that the elderberry's antiviral activity can be attributed to its anthocyanidin compounds phytonutrients responsible for giving the fruit its vivid purple coloring.
Otherwise known as Sambucus nigra, the elderberry is a small, antioxidant-rich fruit common to Europe and North America that is still commonly consumed as a jam or wine.
The influenza virus is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, affecting nearly ten percent of the world population and contributing to one million deaths annually.
Source: Eurekalert
Lack of Antibody Diversity may Make the Elderly More Susceptible to Influenza
Antibodies from aged individuals arise from cross-reactive memory B cells generated early in life, with reduced adaptation to recent influenza virus strains, said researchers.
Advertisement
The phytochemicals from the elderberry juice were shown to be effective at stopping the virus infecting the cells, however to the surprise of the researchers they were even more effective at inhibiting viral propagation at later stages of the influenza cycle when the cells had already been infected with the virus.
"This observation was quite surprising and rather significant because blocking the viral cycle at several stages has a higher chance of inhibiting the viral infection," explained Dr. Peter Valtchev.
"In addition to that, we identified that the elderberry solution also stimulated the cells to release certain cytokines, which are chemical messengers that the immune system uses for communication between different cell types to coordinate a more efficient response against the invading pathogen," said Centre Director, Professor Fariba Deghani.
The team also found that the elderberry's antiviral activity can be attributed to its anthocyanidin compounds phytonutrients responsible for giving the fruit its vivid purple coloring.
Otherwise known as Sambucus nigra, the elderberry is a small, antioxidant-rich fruit common to Europe and North America that is still commonly consumed as a jam or wine.
The influenza virus is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, affecting nearly ten percent of the world population and contributing to one million deaths annually.
Source: Eurekalert
New Potential Strategy may Treat Influenza A
Novel orally active small molecule discovered may help treat influenza A group 1 virus, finds a new study.
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 Gut Microbes and Flavonoids Can Help Fight InfluenzaGut microbes prevent severe flu infections by breaking down naturally occurring compounds like flavonoids found in foods such as black tea, red wine and blueberries. | Advertisement
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