Antiviral Potential of Medicinal Plants for the COVID-19

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has spread throughout the globe and has become a terrible epidemic. Researchers all around the globe are working to understand the characteristics of coronavirus and try to find antiviral compounds as an alternative to vaccines. Objective: The presented study has been conceptualized to screen the various metabolites of traditional therapeutic plants that can have crucial antiviral activity against COVID-19. Methods: Medicinal plants are rich sources of therapeutic agents since human origin, active metabolites from plants such as O. sanctum, C. longa, A. indica, Z. officinale, A. paniculata, G. glabra, A. sativum, P. guajava, V. negundo and S. aromaticum were considered in the study. We aim to control COVID-19, either through interfering with Cysteine-like protease (3CLpro) component of COVID-19 or blocking viral entry via the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) receptor. The molecular docking of forty plant metabolites was studied with the 3Clpro component and ACE 2 receptors. In addition to this, the binding capacity of these two targets was also compared to Hydroxychloroquine used for its treatment. Results: The results reveal that Glycyrrhizin binds to 3CLpro in a highly stable manner with the lowest binding energy. Glabridin, beta-sitosterol, beta-Caryophyllene, alpha-Curcumene, and Apigenin, among others, have shown effective interactions with both ACE 2 and 3CLpro. The study reveals the ability of more than 20 plant-based compounds against the COVID-19 infection cycle, which are more effective than Hydroxychloroquine. Conclusion: Medicinal plant-based therapeutic compounds might provide quickly, sensitive, precise, and cost-effective alternative therapies. To reduce adverse effects, many pharmacological characteristics of medicinal plant agents should be adjusted.