Aims: A novel β-coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has become a pandemic affecting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Since there is no effective treatment, the need of finding alternative methods which can help to curb this pandemic is urgent. This study aims to review the literature on the virucidal and cytotoxic properties of Aloe vera, one of the most studied plants considered as a nutraceutical in order to propose it as an alternative solution against COVID-19. Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the COVID-19 resources that have been made freely available to the scientific community but also on the usual databases such as Pubmed and Google scholar. Results: The literature review shows that the plant has antiviral activity on several types of virus (Haemorrhagic Viral Rhobdavirus Septicaemia, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Herpes simplex virus type 2, Varicella-Zoster virus, human immunodeficiency virus, Influenza virus, poliovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Human papillomavirus) including coronavirus SARS-CoV-1. The plant is consumed orally in several forms and is safe. It is possible that molecules of this plant that have already shown effectiveness on other viruses by some mechanisms such as interaction of virus enzyme, breakdown of the viral envelope etc. could participate in the action of the plant. Also, the presence of minerals such as Zinc, which have shown an effect on SARS-CoV-1, could be involved in the antiviral effect of Aloe vera. Conclusion: Molecular docking of the main molecules of Aloe vera with SARS-CoV-2 protease is in progress and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the activity of Aloe vera on COVID-19.
Background: Plants of the Zingiberaceae family namely Curcuma longa, Aframomum melegueta and Zingiber officinale are known for their many biological activities such as the antiviral activity. Aim: To provide an updated knowledge on the phytochemistry, toxicology and antiviral activity of some medically interesting Zingiberaceae species. Study Design: Multidisciplinary advanced bibliographic surveys and dissemination of the resulted knowledge. Results: The literature review shows that these edible plants have antiviral properties on different types of viruses ( Rhinovirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, Herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, Human immunodeficiency viruse, Enterovirus 71, Ebola Virus, Human cytomegalovirus, Chikungunya virus, Epstein-Barr Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Fish viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, Influenza A virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Coronavirus SARS-CoV-1, etc.). In addition, the literature indicated that these plants are a significant source of nutrients, which can boost the immune system and are safe according to the existing toxicological data. Conclusion: The present mini-review can therefore help to inform future scientific research towards the development of antiCovid-19 herbal drugs of relevance as well as nutraceuticals from these three plants species for the improvement of human health and wellbeing using reverse pharmacology approach. Molecular docking of some naturally occurring isolate compounds against SARS-CoV-2 proteases is in progress.
Aim: Till now, no specific treatment is available for COVID-19. This work is carried out with the aim of verifying in the literature the antiviral properties of aromatic plants and essential oils that can justify their use against the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the usual databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central., Science Direct, SCIELO, DOAJ, Science alert, Semantic scholar and Google scholar. Results: A survey of literature reveals that aromatic plants and their essential oils are active against a large number of viruses (Herpes virus-1, Herpes virus-2, HIV, Adeno virus, Hepatite B Virus, Enterovirus 71, JUNV, etc.) and even against SARS-CoV-1 which has 96% of the same genetic background with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: Aromatic plants and their essential oils exhibit high antiviral activities against several types of viruses. This evidence stemming from several experimental studies means that some compounds derived from essential oils could act as inhibitors of COVID-19. Molecular docking investigations and pharmacoinformatics of some compounds derived from essential oils with SARS-CoV-2 protease are in progress to identify the potential inhibitors of the virus.
Aim: The present study aims at identifying potential inhibitors from a set of ten compounds from Ocimum basilicum against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, the chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro). Materials and Methods: Computational studies by molecular docking (Autodock tool) were used to obtain the scoring function of ten phytochemicals in interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The pharmacokinetic behavior of the high-docking score compounds was addressed by using SwissADME and pkCSM webservers. Results: Three high-docking score ligands were identified as hit compounds mainly the oleanolic acid (-8.55 kcal/mol), the ursolic acid (-8.21 kcal/mol) and apigenin (-7.52 kcal/mol). Their pharmacokinetic profile revealed that they have good therapeutic profile of druggability and safe. The biological activities of the three compounds especially their anti-inflammatory properties in relation with the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines in the most severe form of the COVID-19 were also highlighted. Conclusion: COVID-19 outbreak is a serious public health threat that requires immediate action. In order to combat this pandemic, several strategies are used and the identification of potential inhibitors of the main protease of the virus is one of the widely used strategies. Here, three potential inhibitors from Ocimum basilicum plant (leaves) were pinpointed. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies are needed that will clarify the role of Ocimum basilicum for the management of COVID-19 disease.
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