COVID-19 and Panax ginseng: Targeting platelet aggregation, thrombosis and the coagulation pathway

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only targets the respiratory system but also triggers a cytokine storm and a series of complications, such as gastrointestinal problems, acute kidney injury, and myocardial ischemia. The use of natural products has been utilized to ease the symptoms of COVID-19, and in some cases, to strengthen the immune system against COVID-19. Natural products are readily available and have been regularly consumed for various health benefits. COVID-19 has been reported to be associated with the risk of thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. These thrombotic complications often affects mortality and morbidity. Panax ginseng , which has been widely consumed for its various health benefits has also been reported for its therapeutic effects against cardiovascular disease, thrombosis and platelet aggregation. In this review, we propose that P. ginseng can be consumed as a supplementation against the various associated complications of COVID-19, especially against thrombosis. We utilized the network pharmacology approach to validate the potential therapeutic properties of P. ginseng against COVID-19 mediated thrombosis, the coagulation pathway and platelet aggregation. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the roles of P. ginseng against COVID-19 with the involvement of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in relation to immunity-related responses in COVID-19.

Panax ginseng as a potential therapeutic for neurological disorders associated with COVID-19; Toward targeting inflammasome

“…P. ginseng has been widely used as a functional food, therapeutic supplement, and medicine in Asian countries including Korea for thousands of years, and it is empirically known to be safe and nontoxic [ [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ]. In recent decades, a number of in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as human studies have detailed the safety, toxicity, and other adverse events of various types of ginseng samples and their components [ 95 ].…”

“…P. ginseng -derived substances (extract, saponin, non-saponin, and their ingredients) have been shown to be reliable nutraceuticals that prevent the deterioration of multiple inflammatory and infectious diseases by inhibiting all phases (the inducer, sensor, mediator, and lesion phases) of various inflammatory responses [ 18 , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] ]. Recently, several studies have reported that P. ginseng -derived substances can impressively prevent the two steps (priming and activation) in ameliorating NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in several pathological events including neurological disorders [ 20 ], and that saponin and non-saponin fractions can differently regulate the priming and activation steps of NLRP3 inflammasome [ 20 ].…”

“…P. ginseng , which is mostly found in Asian countries, is a well-known traditional medicinal herb with a long history of usage [ [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ]. P. ginseng has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-neurodegenerative, and restorative activities as well as memory and cognitive enhancing activities with less side effects than alternative options [ [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ].…”

“…P. ginseng , which is mostly found in Asian countries, is a well-known traditional medicinal herb with a long history of usage [ [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ]. P. ginseng has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-neurodegenerative, and restorative activities as well as memory and cognitive enhancing activities with less side effects than alternative options [ [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] ]. Impressively, P. ginseng has been revealed to increase the ability to defend against influenza in both clinical trials and in vivo experiments and the ability to defend against pneumococcal pneumonia in in vivo experiments [ 61 ].…”

Protective role of ginseng in endometriosis during covid-19

“…Medicinal plants can relieve fever and cough in patients with COVID [ 60 ]. KRG may modulate acquired and natural immunity during COVID infection, indicating its potential as a preventive and supportive therapy [ 37 , [60] , [61] , [62] ]. It can promote health and prevent diseases by having immunomodulatory [ 63 , 64 ].…”