Japanese Researchers Discover That Cardamom Seeds Contain Potent Antiviral Compounds
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 15, 2025 11 hours, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: Ancient Spice Reveals Modern Medical Promise
For centuries, cardamom has flavored dishes and soothed ailments across Asia and the Middle East. Now, a groundbreaking study from Japan has unveiled that this humble kitchen spice might also serve as a potent natural antiviral agent. Researchers from Shinshu University and S&B Foods Inc. discovered that extracts from cardamom seeds and one of its major components, a compound called 1,8-cineole, can help human cells defend themselves against viral infections by stimulating key immune pathways.
Japanese Researchers Discover That Cardamom Seeds Contain Potent Antiviral Compounds
According to the study led by Abdullah Al Sufian Shuvo, a doctoral researcher from the Graduate School of Medicine, Science and Technology at Shinshu University, along with co-authors Dr. Takeshi Kawahara from Shinshu University and Masahiro Kassai from S&B Foods Inc., cardamom seed extract was found to enhance the body’s production of important antiviral molecules. This
Medical News report explores how a common spice could hold the key to future natural therapies for viral infections.
How Cardamom Strengthens the Body’s Viral Defenses
The research team focused on compounds found in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), especially 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol. These molecules were found to boost the body’s ability to produce “type I interferons”—special proteins that play a critical role in defending cells from viruses. When viruses invade, human cells rely on internal “nucleic acid sensors” to detect viral DNA and RNA. These sensors then trigger the release of interferons, which prevent viral replication and alert the immune system. The study found that both cardamom seed extract and 1,8-cineole activated these sensors, leading to a stronger antiviral response.
Tests were performed on human lung cells known as A549 cells. When treated with cardamom seed extract, these cells showed higher levels of interferons and other immune molecules that fight off viruses. Interestingly, the compound worked through different pathways within the cell—one of which was dependent on a protein called STING, while another acted independently, showing that multiple mechanisms may be at play.
The Link Between Food and Immunity
Dr. Kawahara emphasized that the research was inspired by a desire to explore how food-based ingredients might naturally prevent infections. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic heightened global interest in the antiviral properties of everyday foods, sparking more research into natural immune enhancers. The scientists had previously found that cardamom seed extract could prevent influenza infections, prompting them to investigate the biological mechanisms behind this effect.
The study revealed that cardamom extract helps regulate cellular signaling molecules that influence the interferon system. It also showed that 1,8-cineole reduces the expression of certain enzymes that weaken immune
responses, such as TIPARP, thereby allowing interferon pathways to function more effectively. This dual action—stimulating antiviral defenses while suppressing immune inhibitors—suggests that cardamom compounds could have broad applications in fighting viruses beyond influenza, including respiratory and other viral infections.
A Natural Path Toward Future Antiviral Therapies
The findings highlight the immense potential of natural plant compounds in supporting the immune system and preventing disease. The researchers believe that cardamom could be developed into a dietary supplement or therapeutic ingredient to strengthen the body’s resistance to viral infections. Beyond its culinary role, cardamom may soon gain recognition as a scientifically supported health-promoting spice.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Foods.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2744
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