Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility

Abstract

The current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is enormously affecting the worldwide health and economy. In the wait for an effective global immunization, the development of a specific therapeutic protocol to treat COVID-19 patients is clearly necessary as a short-term solution of the problem. Drug repurposing and herbal medicine represent two of the most explored strategies for an anti-COVID-19 drug discovery. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) is a well-known culinary spice that has been used for centuries in folk medicine in many disorders. Interestingly, traditional medicines have used clove since ancient times to treat respiratory ailments, whilst clove ingredients show antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Other interesting features are the clove antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects. Thus, in this review, we discuss the potential role of clove in the frame of anti-COVID-19 therapy, focusing on the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects of clove and its molecular constituents described in the scientific literature.

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“…These findings, evaluated in their entirety and complexity, suggest for quercetin an important adjuvant role capable to attenuate and likely slow the disease progression and indirectly underline once more the importance of herbal medicine in counteracting COVID-19. 36 …”

Reynoutria Rhizomes as a Natural Source of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitors–Molecular Docking and In Vitro Study

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IgM and IgG Immunoreactivity of SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant M Protein

“…Enormous efforts have been focused on developing effective and safe drugs and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Various therapeutic options, including herbal medicine, have been explored to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus [ 15 , 16 ]. Also, by 24 September 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine landscape included 43 candidates based on inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, vector vaccines, and protein vaccines which have been tested in clinical trials [ 16 , 17 ], with several that have already been authorized for vaccination.…”

“…Various therapeutic options, including herbal medicine, have been explored to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus [ 15 , 16 ]. Also, by 24 September 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine landscape included 43 candidates based on inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, vector vaccines, and protein vaccines which have been tested in clinical trials [ 16 , 17 ], with several that have already been authorized for vaccination. By 18 April 2021 a guidance document, listing current COVID-19 vaccine candidates undergoing assessment for WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and prequalification (PQ), is available on the following web address: , accessed on 18 April 2021.…”