Antiviral activity of plant juices and green tea against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus in vitro

Frank, Bruno; Conzelmann, Carina; Weil, Tatjana; Groß, Rüdiger; Jungke, Peggy; Eggers, Maren; Müller, Janis A.; Münch, Jan; Kessler, Uwe

Many plant juices, extracts and teas have been shown to possess antiviral activity. We here analyzed the virucidal activity of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), pomegranate (Punica granatum), and elderberry (Sambucus nigra) juice, as well as green tea (Camellia sinensis) against different respiratory viruses. We found that all tested plant derived products effectively inactivated influenza virus, whereas only chokeberry juice diminished SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinia virus infectivity. None of the products inactivated non-enveloped human adenovirus type 5. Thus, black chokeberry juice exerts virucidal activity against different enveloped viral pathogens under in vitro conditions. Whether application of virucidal juices or green tea as oral rinses may lower viral loads in the oral cavity in vivo remains to be evaluated.