Singapore, June 16 -- A research team led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has discovered that extracts from the Justicia Chinese medicinal plants possess strong antiviral properties, which were shown to be able to inhibit multiple viruses such as avian influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Ebola viruses effectively.

HKBU aims to use the breakthrough to support the development of safe and cost-effective antiviral veterinary products as well as animal feed additives. It also opens a new pathway for developing Chinese medicine treatment for veterinary viral diseases and provides essential reference for developing potential drugs for treating viral diseases in humans in future.

Zoonotic diseases caused by viral infections pose ongoing risks to ...