Thailand Doctors Discover Herbal Extract That Could Reduce Lung Inflammation Triggered by COVID-19 Spike Proteins
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 30, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 day, 3 hours, 38 minutes ago
Thailand Doctors: Traditional Thai Plant Yields Promising Results
In an exciting new study, Thailand doctors have uncovered that a natural extract from a traditional Thai medicinal plant might help reduce dangerous lung inflammation caused by the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The plant in focus is Harrisonia perforata, commonly known in Thai medicine as Ha-Rak and traditionally used to treat fevers and inflammation.
Thailand Doctors Discover Herbal Extract That Could Reduce Lung Inflammation Triggered by COVID Spike Proteins
A research team from Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Medicine and its Anticarcinogenesis and Apoptosis Research Cluster, in collaboration with Walailak University’s Centre for One Health, studied the plant’s ethanolic root extract (HPEE) and its active compound luteolin. They discovered that these natural substances can block key inflammation pathways in human lung cells triggered by the spike proteins of both the Wuhan and Omicron variants of the COVID-19 virus. This Medical News report explores how this discovery could lead to safer treatments for lingering COVID-related lung issues.
How the Study Was Conducted
The
Thailand Doctors tested HPEE and luteolin on A549 lung cells that had been exposed to spike proteins from both original and mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2. These spike proteins are notorious for triggering immune overreactions in the body, including the release of inflammatory substances like IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18.
The results were remarkable. HPEE, containing a high concentration of luteolin (143.53 mg per gram), significantly reduced the spike protein-induced release of these inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. It also curbed the expression of genes linked to inflammation and lowered the activity of two key pathways known to fuel chronic inflammation — the MAPK pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome complex.
Luteolin and HPEE Work Without Damaging Healthy Cells
Importantly, the researchers tested the safety of HPEE and luteolin on both lung and skin cells. The treatments showed no harmful effects at the concentrations used to reduce inflammation, suggesting a high safety margin. This opens the door for future in vivo and clinical studies to test the compounds in humans.
Broader Implications for Long COVID
The spike protein doesn’t just help the virus enter cells — it also stays in the body and can trigger persistent inflammation long after infection, especially in the lungs. This lingering inflammation is believed to be a key driver of Long COVID symptoms. The Thai team’s findings suggest that luteolin and HPEE could be used to break this cycle by shutting down the immune triggers at the molecular level.
Conclusion
Thailand doctors from Chiang Mai University and Walailak University have shown that a natural extract from Harris
onia perforata and its key compound luteolin can significantly reduce COVID spike protein-induced lung inflammation by targeting key immune pathways without harming healthy cells. This discovery could lead to new therapies for people suffering from long COVID-related lung issues and pave the way for further clinical trials. The study also reinforces the therapeutic potential of traditional Thai medicinal plants in modern healthcare.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Life
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1077
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