Antiviral activity of medicinal plant-derived products against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

This review presents information from several studies that have demonstrated the antiviral activity of extracts ( Andrographis paniculata, Artemisia annua, Artemisia afra, Cannabis sativa, Curcuma longa, Echinacea purpurea, Olea europaea, Piper nigrum, and Punica granatum) and phytocompounds derived from medicinal plants (artemisinins, glycyrrhizin, and phenolic compounds) against SARS-CoV-2. A brief background of the plant products studied, the methodology used to evaluate the antiviral activity, the main findings from the research, and the possible mechanisms of action are presented. These plant products have been shown to impede the adsorption of SARS-CoV-2 to the host cell, and prevent multiplication of the virus post its entry into the host cell. In addition to antiviral activity, the plant products have also been demonstrated to exert an immunomodulatory effect by controlling the excessive release of cytokines, which is commonly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Ampelozizyphus amazonicus (Saracura-Mirá): Focus on the Modulation of the Spike-ACE2 Interaction by Chemically Characterized Bark Extracts by LC-DAD-APCI-MS/MS

“…They could also interact either directly or indirectly with the Cys/His dyad of the main protease to inhibit viral replication. In this way, polyphenols could interfere with viral pathogenesis in various stages [ 56 ].…”

Potential Therapeutic Properties of Olea europaea Leaves from Selected Cultivars Based on Their Mineral and Organic Profiles

“…Besides HT, other phenolic compounds have shown to exhibit antibacterial effects against several strains of bacteria responsible for intestinal and respiratory infections in vitro [ 66 , 69 , 70 , 71 ], with promising results for applications as preservatives in food industry [ 23 , 62 , 72 , 73 ], in particular reducing the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which is associated with peptic ulcers and gastric cancer [ 66 ]. OLE polyphenols have also revealed antiviral and antiprotozoal activities [ 17 , 61 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. The present study tested the inhibitory capacity of the OLEs from all three selected cultivars against Gram(+) strains— S. aureus (ATCC 25923) , S. epidermidis (NCTC 11047), B. cereus (ATCC 14579)—and Gram(−) strains— E. coli (NCTC 9001), Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 13076), and P. aeruginosa (ATCC 10145).…”

Role of Olive Bioactive Compounds in Respiratory Diseases

“…Furthermore, purified HT from olive and a patented HT, HIDROX ® , have been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. They altered the spike protein, significantly impacting the viral genome [ 165 ]. A similar effect has been reported in molecular docking by Geromichalou et al He demonstrated the EVOO compound’s potential to bind to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein via targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) [ 166 ].…”