A chemical extracted from the leaves of Christmas Berry (coralberry) could lead to a promising new treatment for asthma, according to researchers publishing in Science Translational Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany are looking into the possibility of using a substance extracted from  in the treatment of asthma.

Ardisia crenata, which is more commonly known as “coralberry” or “Christmas berry,” is a decorative plant whose bright, reddish fruit appears in winter, making it a popular seasonal plant.

Coralberry leaves contain a substance called FR900359, which studies have suggested may interact with Gq proteins, a type of protein involved in cell signaling. The team notes that these proteins also play a role in determining how lung muscles contract.

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