Chinese scientists have discovered the world's first virological penicillin in the natural herb honeysuckle. They've named it MIR2911.

Lonicera japonica, honeysuckle is a common Chinese herb often used in Chinese medicine. For centuries, it has been used to treat influenza.

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Previous studies confirmed taking the herb in tea-form can prevent the influenza virus from replicating. While the uses are clear, the mechanisms and anti-viral components behind it are unclear.

Now, a team of researchers led by Dr. Chen-Yu Zhang of Nanjing University in China have identified the honeysuckle-encoded atypical microRNA2911 or MIR2911.

This component is the first active component directly targeting various influenza viruses. It also included the H1N1 swine flu, the H5N1 and H7N9 highly pathogenic avian infections.

The newly-discovered component works by repressing certain genes known to be required for influenza viral replication. These genes are PB2 and NS1.

Since the honeysuckle herb has a wide variety of anti-viral activity against influenza viruses, putting the herb in tea can be a new and effective therapeutic strategy to pacify infections.

Researchers said that while antibiotics have been developed to target various bacterial infections and saved millions of people, there have unfortunately been no natural products identified that are effective against viral infections.

""We suggest that as the first natural product to directly target influenza A viruses, MIR2911 is the 'virological penicillin' that serves as a novel therapeutic and preventive agent against not only influenza A, but potentially also other types of viruses," Zhang said.

TagsHoneysuckle, virological penicillin, MIR2911, Chen-Yu Zhang, swine flu, aviation flu