26 citations
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October 1997 in “Planta Medica” This study found that bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Stephania cepharantha Hayata stimulated growth in cultured murine hair cells but not in keratinocytes or fibroblasts.
34 citations
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June 2022 in “Viruses” This study found that the natural alkaloid cepharanthine effectively inhibited porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection in newborn piglets.
8 citations
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July 2023 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” This review highlights cepharanthine as a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment due to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile, but reports no new clinical results.
October 2025 in “Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses” This study found that bis-benzylisoquinoline and Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, especially aromoline, show potential as antiviral agents, suggesting they could serve as foundations for developing new treatments against coronaviruses by enhancing the understanding of their structure-activity relationships.
3 citations
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June 2023 in “Molecules/Molecules online/Molecules annual” The researchers reviewed cepharanthine, a long-used bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, for its antiviral properties, including significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. They discussed cepharanthine's other pharmacological actions, highlighted plasma membrane fluidity as a key antiviral mechanism, and examined its safety, bioavailability, and potential for new clinical applications.