Antiviral perspectives of economically important Indian medicinal plants and spices

Abstract

Human respiratory diseases caused by viral infections leads to morbidity. Among infectious diseases, viral infections associated with the respiratory tract remain the primary reason for global deaths due to their transmissibility. Since immemorial, traditional Indian medicinal plants, their extracts, and several phytochemicals can treat various diseases. Sources for this review paper are data derived from a peer-reviewed journal that emphasizes the economic importance of medicinal plants. Several plant-based medicines have been reported to be effective against multiple viral infections, including the Human Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Influenza virus, Hepatitis virus, etc. This review emphasizes use of the Indian medicinal plants like as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, Winter Cherry), Moringa oleifera (Drumstick), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), Terminalia chebula (Chebulic Myrobalan), Punica granatum (Pomegranate) and the Indian household spices (ginger, garlic and black pepper). It further describes their secondary phytoconstituents extraction procedure, mode of action and the potential application to improve clinical outcomes of neutraceuticals against various viral infections.

Culinary spices and herbs in managing early and long‐COVID‐19 complications: A comprehensive review

“…Nutrients regulate the quality as well as magnitude of immune response against viruses (Alam et al, 2021; Wilhelm et al, 2021). The traditional knowledge about use of food items for medicament of immune disorders and air‐borne respiratory tract infections is well documented in Ayurvedic texts (Caraka., 1890; Horváth & Ács, 2015; Pebam et al, 2022). We have systematically reviewed the studies which have identified biologically active chemicals present in the culinary spices and food supplements.…”