Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian scientists explore the properties of stone lotus in the treatment of Covid-19

Photo: archives

Several Bulgarian scientific organizations have joined forces to prove the efficacy of the stone lotus plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) in the treatment of influenza viruses and coronaviruses.

The research started in 2017, after Bulgarian Academy of Sciences researchers found out that the plant had a healing effect on conjunctivitis and herpes. They then decided to go further and study the healing properties of stone lotus against influenza viruses.

After the outbreak of the pandemic they focused specifically on researching the plant’s effect on human coronavirus, which is in the same family of RNA viruses as Covid-19. The effect was not as strong as for herpes and influenza viruses, but it was good enough - the activity suppressing viral replication was over 63%.

Currently, the project involves scientists from the Institutes of Organic Chemistry, Microbiology and General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and researchers from the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and the Agrobiological Institute of the Agricultural Academy.

More about the plant and the direction in which scientists are working - see the publication:


Compiled by: Gergana Mancheva

English: Elizabeth Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Boris Ruge

Balkan Developments

Disputes in Croatia over sending military personnel to NATO mission in support of Ukraine NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge visited Croatia to explain to local MPs about the Alliance's mission in support..

published on 11/1/24 2:22 PM

160 years since the establishment of Kabiuk, the first stud farm in Bulgaria

Konyovets village near Shumen is marking 160 years since the oldest stud farm in Bulgaria was set up. Celebrations are being organized on the farm on 1 November when officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and of the State Fund..

published on 11/1/24 7:30 AM

Bulgaria in the future- regional technology center

The Professional Association of Robotics, Automation and Innovation s unites over 80 Bulgarian and international companies that have one global objective - to establish our country as a center for technology development . To achieve this dream,..

published on 10/30/24 3:55 PM