Medicinal plants as a hopeful therapeutic approach against COVID-19 infection

Daglia, Maria; Pasdaran, Ardalan; Alinia Ahandani, Ebrahim; Selamoglu, Zeliha

doi:10.22034/CAJMPSI.2023.01.02

Medicinal plants as a hopeful therapeutic approach against COVID-19 infection

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli, Naples, Italy

² International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

³ Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

⁴ Department of Biochemistry, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

⁵ Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Nigde Ömer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Türkiye

10.22034/CAJMPSI.2023.01.02

Abstract

The disease of COVID-19 is generated by the SARS-COV-2 virus and principally attacks the lung tissue. In addition, other tissues are also attacked by the virus. Reports have shown that the clinical symptoms of this disease vary from no sign to acute respiratory symptoms in the lungs and the occurrence of septic shock with an effect on the immune system in other organs. Although the number of patients is continuously increasing, there is still no approved drug for COVID-19. Currently, the treatment provided to injured people is usually based on symptoms. However, so far, various treatment methods have been proposed and used to solve this problem. One of the most important therapeutic methods for curing this disease is the use of drugs whose action is usually based on the inhibition mechanisms of enzymes of virus including RNA and DNA polymerase, glycosylation of viral protein, assembly of virus, etc., and includes antiviral, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, and corticosteroid drugs. Medicinal plants have fewer side effects than chemicals due to their natural origin. Today, medicinal plants are considered a valuable source of natural compounds for use in the production of antimicrobial and antioxidant drugs. Medicinal plants with certain properties, such as fighting the entrance of the coronavirus into the host cell and interfering with inflammatory reactions, can control the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Among these medicinal plants, we can mention hesperidin, saffron, and rosemary. The aim of this study is to introduce some effective medicinal plants in the COVID-19 treatment based on cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

Virus of SARS-COV-2 results in COVID-19 disease and mainly attacks the lung tissue.
Medicinal plants can control COVID-19 by host cell entry prevention.
Medicinal plants can control the COVID-19 by interfering with inflammatory reactions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Medicinal Plants

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