Catalase, a commonly used low-cost enzyme, holds potential as a therapeutic drug to treat COVID-19 symptoms, and suppress the reproduction of the novel coronavirus inside the body, according to a study. Catalase is produced naturally and used by humans, animals, and plants. Inside cells, the enzyme kick starts the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, which can be toxic, into water and oxygen. The antioxidant enzyme is also commonly used worldwide in food production and as a dietary supplement. "There is a lot of focus on vaccines and antiviral drugs, and rightly so," said Yunfeng Lu from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US. "In the meantime, our research suggests this enzyme could offer a very effective therapeutic solution for treatment of hyperinflammation that occurs due to SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as hyperinflammation generally, said Lu, a senior author of the study published in the journal Advanced Materials. The team, including researchers f
