Scientists Discover First ‘Virological Penicillin’(Honeysuckle)

Sci-News.com ^ | 10/14/2014 | Natali Anderson

[tired&retired]

Chinese researchers have discovered what they say is the first ‘virological penicillin’ – MIR2911, a molecule found naturally in a Chinese herb called honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a well-known Chinese herb. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been used to effectively treat influenza infection for centuries.

Several previous studies have confirmed that the herb, usually consumed in the form of a tea, can suppress the replication of influenza virus.

However, the active anti-viral components and the mechanism by which they block viral replication have remained unclear.

Now, a team of researchers headed by Dr Chen-Yu Zhang of Nanjing University in China has identified MIR2911 (honeysuckle-encoded atypical microRNA2911) as the first active component directly targeting various influenza viruses, including the swine flu H1N1, highly pathogenic avian H5N1 and H7N9 infections.

[tired&retired]

MIR2911 represses influenza viruses by targeting PB2 and NS1, two genes that are known to be required for influenza viral replication.

With its broad-spectrum, anti-viral activity against influenza viruses, MIR2911 and MIR2911-containing honeysuckle tea may represent a new effective therapeutic strategy that can be used to subdue deadly infections.

Perhaps this is what we should have been researching for the next Ebola outbreak.

Eager to discover the virus-inhibiting properties of the honeysuckle plant (lonicera japonica), a team of researchers headed by Dr. Chen-Yu Zhang of Nanjing University in China has identified a molecule within the plant known as MIR2911 (honeysuckle-encoded atypical microRNA2911). This molecule is said to be the first active component directly targeting various influenza viruses, including the swine flu H1N1, highly pathogenic avian H5N1 and H7N9 infections.

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/ebola-scientists-discover-first-virological-penicillin-honeysuckle/#ixzz3H4T2FXEd

Zhen Zhou et al. Honeysuckle-encoded atypical microRNA2911 directly targets influenza A viruses. Cell Research, published online October 07, 2014; doi: 10.1038/cr.2014.130

Full article at the Journal of Cell Research at this link:

http://www.nature.com/cr/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/cr2014130a.html

Now I know why I kept that 1/4 acre thick patch of honeysuckle below my top field and never mowed it down. I love the smell every time I go there and it is the only place on the farm that I see quail.

[tired&retired]

This is also being considered as a possible Ebola treatment along with large doses of vitamin C.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

The answer to the age old question is answered. Why do you never see Bees and Humming Birds with Ebola?

[knittnmom]

Ellendra - looks like you need to make more honeysuckle jelly. ;-)

[NewCenturions]

If good old Tennessee Honeysuckle has the same properties, I’m willing to share! (can’t get rid of the stuff!)

[Will88]

Honeysuckle doesn’t just grow in China. It’s all over the South and probably other areas of the US. Always heard the local variety came from Japan along with kudzu.

There are other herbs believed to have antiviral properties.

[CrazyIvan]

“Why do you never see Bees and Humming Birds with Ebola?”

That mystery has tormented me for most of my life.

[TurboZamboni]

“Ancient Chinese secret!”

[Ray76]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJP5f-fsHrs

[knittnmom]

LOL! We had 5 bushes in our back yard. My husband tried to kill them by cutting them down to the ground. They came back the next year, healthier than ever, with more and greener foliage. He got rid of one, but it took digging it out enough to pull it out with the truck. Our daughter, Ellendra, made honeysuckle jam one year. It was very pretty and tasty, too.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Thought so...

[NewCenturions]

Smells great when in bloom but can pull down a fence! Do you have your daughter’s jam recipe?

[Bitsy]

We used to have honeysuckle vines growing everywhere. Who knew. I wonder if they make the tea from the leaves or the flowers and is it a safe thing to do at home? Just wondering.

[spokeshave]

Encyclopedia of Medicinal herbs by Andrew Chevallier

[knittnmom]

NewCenturions: She'll have to send her recipe - so I included her.

Bitsy: she made the jelly from the flowers. She would also know whether or not making a tea from the leaves holds any risk. She's our family horticultural expert. I just know they smell fabulous!

[null and void]

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

So far the false positive rate is 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

[wally_bert]

Have to look for it. Thanks.

[Georgia Girl 2]

My Mom’s entire fence line is covered in it. We have some in our yard too. Gotta figure out how to make that tea.

[roofgoat]

I’m wondering the same thing. I have a ton of it on my property here in MO. Is this Honeysuckle the same as the one in the article?

I read that the red berries from honeysuckle here in MO are poisonous.

[BenLurkin]

Interesting.