Benefits of Ginger as Medicine for COVID-19: Literature Study

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects other systems, including the digestive, circulatory, urogenital, and even the central nervous systems, as its receptor Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) is expressed in several organs, such as lungs, intestine, heart, esophagus, kidneys, bladder, testes, liver and brain. Different mechanisms, in particular, massive virus replication, extensive apoptosis and necrosis of lung-related epithelial and endothelial cells, vascular leakage, hyperinflammatory responses, overproduction of proinflammatory mediators, cytokine storm, oxidative stress, the downregulation of ACE2 and impairment of the renin-angiotensin system contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Currently, COVID-19 is a global pandemic with no specific antiviral treatment. The favorable abilities of ginger were indicated in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, respiratory distress, liver diseases, and primary dysmenorrhea. Ginger or its compounds exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant influences in numerous animal models. This review provides evidence regarding the potential effects of ginger against SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlights its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory impacts in an attempt to consider this plant as an alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of COVID-19.

Evaluation of the Genes and Molecular Pathways Involved in Skin Lesions in Patients with COVID-19: Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Analysis Approach

“…It elevates the plasma and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid of patients with severe conditions (48,49). In the study of Utami et al, it was shown that increased production of CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL10 in COVID-19 patients can lead to skin lesions and exacerbation of patients' clinical symptoms (50). Additionally, in the study of Carnevale et al, the production of mentioned chemokines can stimulate immune cells and cause skin symptoms in patients (51).…”

Treating COVID-19 with Medicinal Plants: Is It Even Conceivable? A Comprehensive Review

“…The NLRP3 inflammasome is highly activated within pulmonary infections, which triggers a severe cytokine storm. Some bioactive compounds extracted from ginger (e.g., gingerols and shogaols) can inhibit NLPR3 inflammasome, which leads to a drastic reduction in cytokine levels, thus preventing the cytokine storm and avoiding many of the consequent symptoms [ 114 ].…”