Could Broccoli Help Fight Severe COVID-19?
Study Identifies Natural Compound with Potential Against Severe COVID-19
A natural compound found in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower has shown promising antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against SARS-CoV-2 in a preclinical study led by researchers at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
The research, coordinated by Professor Giuseppe Novelli of the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, has been published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. The study was carried out in collaboration with the European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA) and several Italian and Hungarian research institutions.
The findings suggest that the compound could help combat not only the virus itself, but also the excessive inflammatory response responsible for the most severe forms of COVID-19.
A Natural Molecule with Dual Action
The focus of the study is indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. Previous laboratory studies had already shown that I3C can interfere with the release of SARS-CoV-2 from infected cells.
The new research takes an important step forward by evaluating, for the first time, the compound's effects in vivo using an established animal model of COVID-19.
Promising Results in a Preclinical Model
Researchers used the golden Syrian hamster, a well-established model that reproduces many features of human COVID-19, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The animals were infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and treated with two different doses of I3C.
At the lower dose, the compound significantly reduced the amount of virus in the lungs, delayed the onset of symptoms and limited weight loss. It also reduced pulmonary oedema—the accumulation of fluid in the lungs—and lowered levels of TNF-alpha, one of the key inflammatory molecules associated with severe COVID-19.
A Potential New Therapeutic Strategy
Commenting on the findings, Professor Giuseppe Novelli said:
"Our study shows that indole-3-carbinol combines antiviral activity with the ability to modulate the inflammatory response, making it a promising candidate for future COVID-19 therapies. This dual mechanism could prove particularly valuable in severe respiratory diseases, where inflammation plays a major role in tissue damage."
The higher dose tested showed signs of toxicity, helping researchers identify a potential therapeutic window and providing valuable guidance for future studies aimed at determining the safest and most effective dosage.
Beyond COVID-19
Because I3C acts on cellular pathways exploited by viruses rather than targeting a specific viral protein, its potential applications may extend beyond COVID-19. Researchers believe it could also be investigated as a treatment for other respiratory viral infections characterised by excessive inflammation.
The research was supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the European UNDINE project and the Fondazione Roma.
The next step will be clinical studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of I3C in humans and to explore its potential use in other viral respiratory diseases.
Looking Ahead
Although the findings remain preclinical, the study highlights a promising therapeutic approach: treating not only the virus itself, but also the inflammatory response that contributes to the most severe outcomes of infection.
Translated from the original article written by Tor Vergata's Press Office