The Antiviral Properties of Tiger Nut Milk Against Enveloped Viruses
Effects of Added Sugar and TNM Concentration on Enveloped Viruses
In today's world, where we face constant challenges in public health, finding natural sources with potential antiviral effects is more important than ever. One such promising source is tiger nut milk (TigerNut Milk - TNM), also known as horchata, or in Spain, "chufa."
This traditional drink, popular primarily in the Mediterranean and African regions, has gained attention due to its exceptional nutritional and health properties. It is rich in essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins E and C, and unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to its health benefits.
However, its antiviral effects are particularly intriguing for scientists and experts. In recent years, several studies have explored the bioactive compounds in TNM and their ability to inhibit the spread of viruses and strengthen the immune system. This article attempts to further examine the antiviral properties of horchata and its effects on a specific type of virus – enveloped viruses.
What is an Enveloped Virus?
An enveloped virus is characterized by its lipid (fatty) envelope, which enables it to penetrate target cells. In addition to the fact that the envelope comes from the host cell, it also contains proteins that help the virus attach to and enter the target cell. For this reason, enveloped viruses are more susceptible to changes in temperature, pH, and the presence of detergents, which are substances with powerful cleaning effects.
Some of the most well-known enveloped viruses include influenza viruses, viruses causing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), herpes viruses, hepatitis B viruses, and measles viruses. These viruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases with varying degrees of severity, making them ideal candidates for testing antiviral effects.
The Effect of Tiger Nut Milk on Enveloped Viruses
The sensitivity of enveloped viruses to external factors seems to be a good basis for testing. Few attempts have been made to determine whether the bioactive compounds in TNM have the power to disrupt the viral envelope or otherwise prevent its replication.
A relatively recent biomedical study from 2023 investigated the antiviral properties of TNM against enveloped viruses. The researchers selected the "Bacteriophage phi 6," an enveloped virus similar to the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2), for their experiments. Testing the antiviral properties of TNM against bacteriophage phi 6 showed that after 15 hours of contact with the milk, the virus was completely inactivated. The study concluded that the enveloped virus was inactive after 15 hours in this case.
The Effect of Added Sugar in TNM on Enveloped Viruses
By modifying the experiment, it was found that the antiviral properties of TNM against bacteriophage phi 6 could be enhanced by adding sugar. This enriched TNM was able to completely inactivate the virus within 5 hours.
The Effect of TNM Concentration on Enveloped Viruses
In the next phase of the experiment, two different concentrations of TNM were prepared. One with a 10-fold concentration and the other with a 0.1-fold concentration compared to the original.
Testing against bacteriophage phi 6 revealed that the 10-fold concentrated form exhibited significant antiviral activity after just 5 hours of contact. In contrast, the 0.1-fold diluted form showed no antiviral properties even after 24 hours. After 2 hours of contact with the 10-fold concentrated TNM, the number of viral particles was reduced by approximately 87%, and after 15 hours, nearly complete inactivation of the virus was achieved. The activity increased with the contact time, whereas no antiviral activity was observed with the 0.1-fold diluted TNM.
Summary of Findings According to Tunón-Molina et al.
Sugar derivatives demonstrated the ability to combat enveloped viruses, suggesting that TNM has antiviral properties both with and without sugar. The results indicate that TNM is effective against bacteriophage phi 6 and potentially dangerous viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and influenza.
Conclusion
Tiger nut milk, with its rich nutritional and bioactive components, emerges as a promising natural remedy with antiviral properties. Studies suggest that it can effectively inactivate enveloped viruses, such as bacteriophage phi 6, and potentially dangerous viruses like SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and influenza.
In conclusion, this miraculous tuber, which has been a part of traditional medicine for millennia, has much to offer in the modern era!
Source: MDPI - 1422-0067/24/15/12018