The Executive Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, reported that the government of Venezuela met this Monday with the representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Venezuela, Pier Paolo Balladelli, in order to send the World Organization of Health (WHO) information about their discovery of the DR10 molecule’s ability to combat COVID-19. PAHO is the WHO’s Regional Office for Latin-America.
“With the Minister Carlos Alvarado and the Chancellor, Jorge Arreaza, we have formalized the results of this investigation to begin the registration of the DR10 molecule as a treatment for the coronavirus,” she said at a press conference.
She stated during the meeting that they’ve “shared other lines of research seeking findings on different treatments for the virus,” she added.
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Rodriguez explained that in the coming days the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, will make important announcements about this discovery and other lines of investigation. She added that they presented the conclusions of the study, and regarding other forms of drugs and therapies effective against COVID-19.
This Sunday, the President of Venezuela announced that a group of Venezuelan researchers from Puerto Cabello identified and isolated a molecule, belonging to a medicinal plant, that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by 100%, according to preclinical studies.
He noted that the DR-10 molecule is a highly effective antiviral component against the novel coronavirus. The scientists developed the drug based on the molecule DR10, a ursolic acid triterpene, which behaves effectively in the viral replication of SARS-Cov-2 in in vitro culture.
For the studies, COVID-19 was exposed in different concentrations, then the same process was done with healthy cells, with which the structure of the molecular sequence was identified.
For six months, experts from the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) carried out chemical, molecular and statistical studies of the active principle that inhibits—by 100%—the novel coronavirus.
Before being tested to treat COVID-19 infection, the DR10 molecule was used to fight Hepatitis C, human papillomavirus, Ebola, and other diseases.
Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally derived pentacyclic triterpene acid that has broad effects on various diseases and possesses the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The beneficial effects of UA include: anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and cytotoxic, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, hepatoprotective, analgesic, anti-microbial, gastroprotective, and anti-carcinogenic, among others.
Featured image: Photo courtesy of VTV.
Translation: OT/JRE/SL
