Cardamom (Elettaria cardamom) seed extract, notably its primary bioactive element, 1,8-cineole, has been highlighted in recent research for its potential as an antiviral agent by enhancing the production of antiviral proteins known as type I interferons.
Herbal remedies have long been utilized to address various health conditions, including viral infections.
Medicinal herbs and plants are abundant sources of bioactive substances and have been incorporated into antiviral products by pharmaceutical companies.
These substances interfere with different stages of various viruses’ life cycles and help modulate the body’s immune response to viral threats.
Recent research by Takeshi Kawahara and his team at Shinshu University suggests that cardamom seed extract might possess formidable antiviral properties.
“Even prior to the emergence of the recent coronavirus, we were investigating substances that could help prevent viral infections in daily life,” Dr. Kawahara stated.
“The pandemic has amplified public interest in the antiviral qualities of food, providing us more avenues to pursue this research.”
In earlier investigations, the researchers discovered that cardamom seed extract effectively prevented influenza virus infections.
The latest study involved conducting experiments on human lung cells, specifically A549 cells, treated with cardamom seed extract to simulate viral infection processes and better understand its effects on the production of antiviral molecules.
They found that cardamom seed extract, along with its key bioactive component, 1,8-cineole, activates intracellular nucleic acid sensors that recognize viral DNA and RNA.
These sensors trigger the production of various cytokines, which impact the virus at different phases of infection.
In this instance, treatment with cardamom seed extract or 1,8-cineole resulted in increased production of a specific type of cytokine known as type I interferon, which is crucial for the body’s defense against viral infections, facilitated by the intracellular nucleic acid sensors.
Given these findings, the researchers expressed significant interest in the potential therapeutic applications of their results.
“Traditionally, cardamom has been widely recognized as a medicinal spice, and based on our findings, we aspire to explore its use as an antiviral agent to combat various viral infections,” Dr. Kawahara noted.
“We hope this research sheds new light on the antiviral properties of foods and inspires further exploration of various food components that may aid in preventing viral infections in everyday life.”
These findings were published in the August 2025 issue of Foods.
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Abdullah Al Sufian Shuvo et al. 2025. Type I interferon-enhancing effect of cardamom seed extract via intracellular nucleic acid sensor regulation. Foods 14(15):2744; doi: 10.3390/Food14152744
Source: www.sci.news
