6:04 AM MYT ROME, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) A group of researchers from the University of Bari said their studies showed an ingredient of diuretic drugs, traditionally used to treat high blood pressure, is promising in halting the impact of the coronavirus in patients. The findings, which were published in the peer-reviewed MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) academic journal last week, showed that ethacrynic acid, the main component of some diuretic pharmaceuticals, can be an effective inhibitor of the coronavirus. Though the research is preliminary, the journal said the data can be the starting point for the development of an effective therapeutic strategy against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.