Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 02, 2025 6 hours, 31 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: A Traditional Fruit Shows Modern Potential
A group of Japanese researchers has discovered that an extract from Prunus mume, better known as the Japanese apricot or Ume, can directly stop both COVID-19 and influenza viruses from spreading in laboratory experiments. Ume is a familiar ingredient in Japanese households, often consumed as pickled plums called Umeboshi. Scientists have long praised it for its digestive and antimicrobial benefits, but until now, its effects on respiratory viruses were unclear. This
Thailand Medical News report highlights how researchers uncovered powerful antiviral properties in this everyday fruit.
Japanese Apricot Extract Found to Fight COVID-19 and Flu
Where the Research Was Conducted
The study was led by teams from Tokai University School of Medicine (Department of Microbiology and Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine), Tokai University Research Innovation Center, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, and the National Institute of Technology Wakayama College. Their joint investigation revealed that specific chemical compounds inside Ume extracts can directly disable viral particles.
How the Extract Works
The scientists tested eight different phytochemical extracts made from pickled Ume fruits and their brine. Four extracts—named PM2, PM3, PM4, and PM6—were able to reduce virus activity in infected cells. Among these, PM2 stood out as the most powerful, breaking apart the viral structure and making it impossible for the virus to infect new cells.
Laboratory assays showed that PM2 not only blocked the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 but also the dangerous Delta and Omicron variants. It also worked effectively against three types of influenza viruses, including seasonal flu strains. Under electron microscopes, viral particles treated with PM2 appeared deformed and collapsed, confirming its ability to physically damage them.
Safe and Potent Action
Importantly, the extracts did not harm healthy cells even at high concentrations. This safety profile makes the discovery even more exciting, as it suggests the extract’s antiviral compounds could one day be developed into natural dietary products or even future medicines. The chemical analysis revealed the presence of linoleic acid and β-sitosterol, compounds already known for their virus-blocking abilities. These seem to play a key role in the way PM2 neutralizes both COVID-19 and influenza.
What It Means for the Future
While these findings are promising, the scientists caution that the tests were only carried out in laboratory conditions. More studies are needed, including animal and human trials, to prove whether Ume extracts can truly prevent or treat infections in real life. Still, the results add to growing evidence that natural foods can hold hidden antiviral powers.
Conclusion
This study brings hope that a traditional food like Um
eboshi could contribute to the fight against pandemics. By showing that Prunus mume extracts can directly disable major respiratory viruses without harming human cells, the research opens the door to new, safe, and accessible ways of preventing infections. As viruses continue to mutate and evade drugs and vaccines, discoveries like this remind us that nature itself may still provide untapped solutions.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/17/8487
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to
Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-hope-in-fighting-flu-and-covid-19-with-phytochemical-from-cruciferous-vegetables
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/canadian-study-finds-that-the-phytochemical-allicin-from-garlic-dramatically-suppresses-covid-19-spike-protein-in-human-cells
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/philippine-medicinal-plants-show-strong-potential-against-covid-19
Share
Tweet
Share
