Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40218964›Full record

ArticleNutrients2025

Synergistic Antiviral Activity of European Black Elderberry Fruit Extract and Quinine Against SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Virusa.

Christian Setz, Pia Rauch, Melanie Setz, Stephan Breitenberger, Stephan Plattner, Ulrich Schubert

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Christian SetzInstitute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Pia RauchInstitute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Melanie SetzInstitute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Stephan BreitenbergerIprona Lana SpA, Industriestraße 1/6, I-39011 Lana, Italy.
Stephan PlattnerIprona Lana SpA, Industriestraße 1/6, I-39011 Lana, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1025-0284
Ulrich SchubertInstitute of Virology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 401821119/GRK2504IPRONA LANA SPA Consumables
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesThe persistent threat of emerging respiratory RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus (IAV) necessitates the continuous development of effective, safe, broadly acting, and generally accessible antiviral agents. Current treatments often face limitations such as early administration requirements, resistance development, and limited global access. Natural products, like European black elderberry (

methodsMadin-Darby Canine Kidney II (MDCKII) cells were infected with IAV PR-8, while human Calu-3 lung epithelial cells were infected with Wuhan-type SARS-CoV-2. Cells were treated with varying concentrations of EC 3.2 and quinine either as mono- or combinational therapy. Viral replication was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR, and cell viability was evaluated using WST-1 assays.

resultsOur results demonstrate, for the first time, that both EC 3.2 and quinine individually inhibited IAV replication in a dose-dependent manner, with IC

conclusionsThese findings suggest that the combined use of black elderberry extract and quinine might serve as an effective antiviral strategy against IAV and SARS-CoV-2, particularly since the synergistic effect allows for lower doses of each product while retaining therapeutic efficacy. In summary, this combinational in vitro approach, when expanded to other respiratory RNA viruses and confirmed in clinical studies, has the potential to open a promising avenue for pandemic preparedness.

Indexed as

Antiviral AgentsFruitInfluenza A virusPlant ExtractsQuinineSambucusSambucus nigraSARS-CoV-2AnimalsAnthocyaninsCell SurvivalCOVID-19DogsDrug SynergismHumansMadin Darby Canine Kidney CellsAnthocyaninsAntiviral AgentsPlant ExtractsQuinineanthocyaninsantiviralbroad antiviral activityEuropean black elderberry fruit extractInfluenza A virusnatural substancepandemic preparednessphenolic compoundsquinineSARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID40218964
PMCPMC11990106

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.