Believe or not, but compounds have been found that could stop coronavirus and flu viruses from infecting human cells.

An international research team has unearthed 26 such compounds found in nature and they claim this discovery paves the way for new 'natural' medicines and antivirals that can help treat these contagious viruses.

They are currently effective in very small doses in the lab, where the compounds have completely stopped viral infections in human cells. 

The team from the University of British Columbia has investigated more than 350 compounds derived from natural sources including plants, fungi, and marine sponges.

All 3 of the most effective compounds were found in Canada: alotaketal C, from a sea sponge in Howe Sound, BC; bafilomycin D from a marine bacteria in Barkley Sound, BC; and holyrine A from marine bacteria collected in the waters off Newfoundland.

The team now want to test the compounds in animal models in the next six months.