What kind of plant is Stephania? Is it true that cephalothin can treat COVID-19?

Recently, Qianjinteng suddenly became popular because a report that Qianjintengsuin discovered by Chinese scientists can be used to treat COVID-19 and has been granted a national invention patent quickly attracted the attention of the people. So, what kind of plant is Stephania? Is it true that cephalothin can treat COVID-19?

1. What kind of plant is Stephania?

Stephanotis is a plant of the Menispermaceae family and the Stephanotis genus. It is a valuable foliage vine local cover plant. It not only supports the artistic modeling of frames, but is also used for shrub forest decoration. It is also a multi-purpose plant whose tuberous roots can be used to make starch and brew wine. Its roots contain a variety of alkaloids and are commonly used as a folk herbal medicine in China.

1. Distribution and growth environment of Stephania tetrandra

In my country, the plant is mainly distributed in southern Henan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian and other places. It usually grows in wild bushes, near villages, etc., and grows in the wild.

2. Plant appearance characteristics of Qianjinteng

One is a nearly woody vine with a hairless plant body, linear roots that are brown-yellow, and thin and weak twigs.

The second is the shield-shaped leaves, the leaves are papery, triangular and nearly circular or triangular and broadly ovate, 6-15 cm long, dark green on the surface, pink and white on the back, with about 10 palmate veins raised on the back, the petiole is 3-10 cm long, and grows in a distinct shield shape.

Third, the compound umbels are axillary, the cymes are densely packed into heads, the male flowers have 6 or 8 sepals, arranged in 2 whorls, 3 or 4 petals, and are yellow. The female flowers have 3 or 4 sepals and 3 or 4 petals. The drupe is obovate or nearly round, about 8 mm in diameter, green before maturity and red when ripe.

2. Is it true that cephalothin can treat COVID-19?

It was recently reported that a new drug for treating COVID-19 discovered by Chinese scientists has been granted a national invention patent. The patent specification shows that 10uM (micromoles/liter) of cephalothin inhibits the replication of coronavirus by 15,393 times. After the report was released, the concept of cephalothin continued to be active. Subsequently, there have been many voices in the industry raising many doubts about the claim that Sentenza sativa can fight against the new coronavirus.

Stephaniocarpin is a diastereoisoflavone bioalkaloid isolated and extracted from the Menispermaceae plants Stephaniocarpinus and Dipterocarpinus sibiricum, and has been previously approved for the treatment of leukopenia. In fact, there is no scientific basis to equate the above patent authorization with cephalothin becoming a new drug for the treatment of COVID-19. As just a promising drug candidate, it is still a long way to go before cephalothin can be used to treat COVID-19.

3. What are the effects and functions of Qianjin Teng?

Qianjinteng is a traditional Chinese medicine with bitter taste and cold nature. It enters the lung, kidney, bladder and liver meridians. It has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and relieving pain, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. It is mainly used to treat the following symptoms and diseases:

1. Symptoms and diseases such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, or carbuncles and furuncles caused by excessive heat and toxicity.

2. Snake bite.

3. Symptoms such as joint pain, difficulty in flexion and extension, and limited movement caused by rheumatic arthritis.

In general, Qianjinteng is a common herb in ancient my country. It tastes bitter and cold in nature. In addition, it can also be used as an ornamental plant, but it is still a long way to go before Qianjintengxin can be used to treat the new coronavirus.