Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly a neurodevelopmental behavioural disorder in children and adolescents. Mainly characterized by symptoms like lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, it can impact the overall mental development of the one affected. Several factors, both genetic and non-genetic, can be responsible for this disorder. Although several traditional treatment methods involve medication and other counselling techniques, they also come with different side effects. Hence, the choice is now shifting to alternative treatment techniques. Herbal treatments are considered one of the most popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) administered. However, issues related to the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies for the treatment of ADHD need to be investigated further. This study aims to find out the recent advancement in evidence-based use of herbal remedies for ADHD by a comprehensive and systematic review that depicts the results of the published works on herbal therapy for the disorder. The electronic databases and the references retrieved from the included studies present related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and open-label studies. Seven RCTs involving children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD met the inclusion criteria. There is a fair indication of the efficacy and safety of Melissa officinalis L., Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Matricaria chamomilla L., and Valeriana officinalis L. from the studies evaluated in this systematic review for the treatment of various symptoms of ADHD. Limited evidence was found for Ginkgo biloba L. and pine bark extract. However, various other preparations from other plants did not show significant efficacy. There is inadequate proof to strongly support and recommend the administration of herbal medicines for ADHD, but more research is needed in the relevant field to popularize the alternative treatment approach.

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. is nicknamed the ‘Miracle plant’ or sometimes as the ‘Wonder plant’. It is a plant that has been used since ancient times for the innumerable health benefits associated with it. It is one of the important plants that has its use in conventional medicinal treatments. It is a perennial succulent, drought-tolerant member of the family Asphodelaceae. There are scores of properties associated with the plant that help in curing various forms of human ailments. Extracts and gels obtained from plants have been shown to be wonderful healers of different conditions, mainly various skin problems. Also, this plant is popular in the cosmetics industry. The underlying properties of the plant are now mainly associated with the natural phytochemicals present in the plant. Diverse groups of phytoingredients are found in the plant, including various phenolics, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, and different other organic compounds, too. One of the primary ingredients found in the plant is the aloin molecule. It is an anthraquinone derivative and exists as an isomer of Aloin A and Aloin B. Barbaloin belonging to the first group is a glucoside of the aloe-emodin anthrone molecule. Various types of pharmacological properties exhibited by the plant can be attributed to this chemical. Few significant ones are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-viral, along with their different immunity-boosting actions. Recently, molecular coupling studies have also found the role of these molecules as a potential cure against the ongoing COVID-19 disease. This study comprehensively focuses on the numerous pharmacological actions of the primary compound barbaloin obtained from the Aloe vera plant along with the mechanism of action and the potent application of these natural molecules under various conditions.

Known as the obligate intracellular parasites, viruses are the minuscular giants that are associated with heterogeneous effects in living organisms. SARS CoV-2 is one such deadly virus wreaking havoc to the entire globe since February, 2020 and forced the whole world to be shut indoors following certain norms. SARS-CoV-2 bears close resemblance with the previous SARS-CoV and MERS CoV but is unique in mode of causing infection, disease causing ability and fatality rate. Natural plant-based products are in use since time immemorial against diverse types of ailments for the several benefits associated with them. There are numerous reports of phytochemicals with anti-viral characters. Researches are being carried out all over the globe to find out phytochemicals with significant mode of action against the virus. The plant-based chemicals primarily try to target the biomolecules associated with the infection and replication of the virus molecule inside the living cells. Docking studies and analyses are being done on such plant-based extracts and molecules that can efficiently inhibit the binding of the virus with the targets. The binding scores of the phytochemicals are found and compared against standard, conventional drug molecules in use. They are analysed further and several molecules from source plants like Allium sativum, Nigella sativa, Eucalyptus sp., Camellia sinensis, Curcuma longa, grapefruit and phytochemicals like naringenin, saikosaponins, Eucalyptol, essential oils and many more are found to show promising results in the study. This work tries to make an in-depth study and compilation of all the existing reports and literatures on such phytochemicals that can successfully emerge as alternative treatment approach to combat against the deadly SARS CoV-2 virus.

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