Traditional medicines based on herbal extracts have been proposed as affordable treatments for patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Teas and drinks containing extracts of Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra have been widely used in Africa in efforts to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and fight COVID-19. The plant extracts and Covid-Organics drink produced in Madagascar were tested for plaque reduction using both feline coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Their cytotoxicities were also investigated. Several extracts as well as Covid-Organics inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and FCoV infection at concentrations that did not affect cell viability. Some plant extracts show inhibitory activity against FCoV and SARS-CoV-2. However, it remains unclear whether peak plasma concentrations in humans can reach levels needed to inhibit viral infection following consumption of teas or Covid-Organics. Clinical studies are required to evaluate the utility of these drinks for COVID-19 prevention or treatment of patients.

中文翻译：

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艾蒿提取物对 SARS-CoV-2 的体外功效

基于草药提取物的传统药物已被提议作为由严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 引起的 2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 患者负担得起的治疗方法。含有青蒿和艾弗拉提取物的茶和饮料已在非洲广泛使用，以预防 SARS-CoV-2 感染和抗击 COVID-19。在体外使用猫科冠状病毒和 SARS-CoV-2 测试了马达加斯加生产的植物提取物和 Covid-Organics 饮料的斑块减少情况。还研究了它们的细胞毒性。几种提取物以及 Covid-Organics 在不影响细胞活力的浓度下抑制了 SARS-CoV-2 和 FCoV 感染。一些植物提取物对 FCoV 和 SARS-CoV-2 显示出抑制活性。然而，尚不清楚在饮用茶或 Covid-Organics 后，人类的血浆峰值浓度是否能达到抑制病毒感染所需的水平。需要进行临床研究来评估这些饮料对 COVID-19 预防或治疗患者的效用。