Scientists working on anti COVID drugs using garlic essential oil

Scientists from chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, molecular biology, nutrition, nanotechnology backgrounds will form an integral part of the bouquet of research planned by DBT-CIAB to fight COVID-19 infection.

As per Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology’s Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (DBT-CIAB) at Mohali is planning for a series or a bouquet of research projects. These research projects are being undertaken to generate products that could be used for prevention, diagnosis or cure of for the deadly COVID 19 infection.

Scientists from chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, molecular biology, nutrition, nanotechnology backgrounds will form an integral part of this project. The bouquet of research will be conducted under different platforms.

Under the preventive platform, the following work will happen :-

• Lignin derived Noble metal nanocomplexes for developing antiviral coating materials, and rose oxide-enriched citronella oil
• Carbopol and triethanolamine formulated alcoholic sanitizer

Under the therapeutics platform, the efforts will be focused on:-

• Polypyrrollic photosensitizers and their nanoformulations for antiviral photodynamic therapy,
• Microbial production of immunomodulatory and antiviral fructan biomolecules,
• Development and commercial manufacturing of nasal spray kit to ease chest congestion suffered in Corona Infection etc.

Under the Drug discovery platform, the research will explore:-

• Separation of therapeutic and valuable medicinal components from the peel and seeds of fruits
• Utilisation of natural garlic essential oil as a ACE 2 protein inhibitor for preventing SARS-CoV-2 invasion.

Besides, studies are to be conducted for development of lignin derived nanocarriers (LNCs) with potential for antiviral drug delivery and using curcumin fortified whey protein Powder as a nutraceutical.

The researchers would endeavour to come out with products that are biocompatible, low cost and scalable and have set out with a timeline of six months to one year. The studies would be conducted in collaboration with chemical industries and other government laboratories with BSL-3 facility.