A cup of antiviral tea for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an important enzyme for coronavirus to catalyze the replication of RNA from RNA templates. Lung et al.4 at Taiwan firstly found that theaflavin being able to dock in the catalytic pocket near the active site of RdRp in SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Furthermore, by the two different molecular docking methods, they revealed that theaflavin having the lowest idock score and lower binding energy in the catalytic pocket of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp.4 The above suggests that theaflavin could be a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. In addition, previous studies have shown that theaflavin and theaflavin gallate derivatives having antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses5 and hepatitis C virus.6 As known, theaflavin is a polyphenolic compound in black tea. Hence, a proper intake of black tea could be considered for the prevention of COVID-19.