Therapeutic opportunities of edible antiviral plants for COVID-19

Abstract

The pandemic of Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that produces corona virus disease (COVID-19) has challenged the entire mankind by rapidly spreading globally in 210 countries affecting over 25 million people and about 1 million deaths worldwide. It continues to spread, afflicting the health system globally. So far there is no remedy for the ailment and the available antiviral regimens have been unsatisfactory for the clinical outcomes and the mode of treatment has been mainly supportive for the prevention of COVID-19-induced morbidity and mortality. From the time immortal the traditional plant-based ethno-medicines have provided the leads for the treatment of infectious diseases. Phytopharmaceuticals have provided potential and less toxic antiviral drugs as compared to conventional modern therapeutics which are associated with severe toxicities. The ethnopharmacological knowledge about plants has provided food supplements and nutraceuticals as a promise for prevention and treatment of the current pandemic. In this review article, we have attempted to comprehend the information about the edible medicinal plant materials with potential antiviral activity specifically against RNA virus which additionally possess property to improve immunity along with external and internal respiration and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties for the prevention and treatment of the disease. This will open an arena for the development of novel nutraceutical herbal formulations as an alternative therapy that can be used for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Antiviral Effects of Green Tea EGCG and Its Potential Application against COVID-19

“…The pandemic has resulted in significant global social and economic disruption, including the largest global recession since the Great Depression [ 14 ]. Owing to the short supply of vaccines and specific drugs, finding alternative drugs from natural herbs to circumvent COVID-19 is considered to be a promising strategy for preventing the pandemic [ 15 ].…”

“…Polyphenols are considered to be a promising antiviral agent against multiple viruses, such as influenza A (H1N1) [ 16 ], Ebola virus (EBOV) [ 17 ], SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome) [ 18 ], even SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) [ 15 ]. EGCG is an abundant polyphenol compound in tea.…”

Thymoquinone: A Promising Natural Compound with Potential Benefits for COVID-19 Prevention and Cure

“…Such a development may offer a supplementary treatment to help people cope with this highly infectious disease and thus protect the global population against the current pandemic. 18 In terms of daily diet, herbal preparations with immunomodulatory actions may offer prophylactic therapy to prevent infection and to help contain diseases within communities, as well as encouraging faster post-infection healing. 18 Natural Therapeutic Approaches Some reports have emerged of the beneficial effects of certain traditional herbal medicines with regard to COVID-19.…”

“…18 In terms of daily diet, herbal preparations with immunomodulatory actions may offer prophylactic therapy to prevent infection and to help contain diseases within communities, as well as encouraging faster post-infection healing. 18 Natural Therapeutic Approaches Some reports have emerged of the beneficial effects of certain traditional herbal medicines with regard to COVID-19. Examples include Ginseng (Panax ginseng), which has a modulatory effect on human immune cells; 19 ginger (Zingiber officinale), which has anti-apoptotic, antiinflammatory, anti-tumor activities, anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, and analgesic properties; 20 garlic (Allium sativum), which stimulates the immune system; 21 and Echinacea extract (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench), which has antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.…”

Spices for taming the COVID-19 pandemic: Prospects and perspectives

“…Promising ones among them are Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Niclosamide, Azithromycin, Remdesvir, Lopinavir, etc. Since COVID-19 targets the immune system of the host, there are several reports on many herbal agents being recommended as an adjunct therapy or as prophylactic agents (Boukhatem & Setzer 2020; Khanna et al 2021;Patel et al 2021). NF-κB can be a potential target for inflammationbased viral therapy, as it regulates several vital physiological processes and is actively involved in the development of adaptive and innate immunity (Hayden et al 2006).…”