Based on research conducted at the University of Indonesia and Bogor Institute of Agriculture, the compounds found in fruits such as red guavas may help fight COVID-19.
Dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, an internist at the University of Indonesia, explained that hesperidin, myricetin, luteolin and casuarinin — all of which are found in the tropical fruit red guava has the potential to be used in treating COVID-19.
As told to the Anadolu Agency, an international news agency, Dr. Syam said, “The results of our bioinformatics research showed that compounds contained in guava could prevent, or at least reduce, the impact of the infection.”
Dr. Syam further went on to explain that guava, a fruit that is widely grown in Indonesia and other parts of the World, can be consumed as it is or in the form of a processed juice.
But not only guava. Orange peels and other citrus fruits like grapefruits, lemons, and tangerines all show promise likewise.
Irmanida Batubara from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture said hesperidin could protect the body from microbes and viruses. “Not only orange [peels], lime, lemon and other citrus varieties also contain hesperidin,” she said.
“People can make their own juice while staying at home by adding the clean-washed peels, though the hesperidin will make it taste a bit bitter, or drink the infused water,” she added.
Now, the University of Indonesia and Bogor Institute of Agriculture’s research teams are aiming to gain support from pharmaceutical companies to mass-produce a guava-based drug.
“The teams need to conduct clinical trials on animals and humans so the drug can be consumed by the wider community,” added Dr. Syam.
