Title : Antiviral properties of Indian medicinal plants for the management of COVID 19 Sars CoV 2
Abstract:
The richest heritage of India is ethno botanical knowledge comprising 500 tribal communities, belonging to 227 ethnic groups. An ethno botanical survey meta-analysis was undertaken to collect information regarding drugs used in south India for respiratory diseases. Spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) made a historic transition in December 2019 to till date. The potentially fatal corona virus disease (COVID-19), caused by air droplets and airborne as the main transmission modes, clearly induces a spectrum of respiratory clinical manifestations, but it also affects the immune, gastrointestinal, hematological, nervous, and renal systems. The dramatic scale of disorders and complications arises from the inadequacy of current treatments and specific anti-COVID-19 drugs to suppress viral replication, inflammation, and additional pathogenic conditions. This highlights the importance of understanding the SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of actions and the urgent need of prospecting for new or alternative treatment options. In the present scenario SARS-CoV-2 has become a pandemic hazard and major burden for public, causing economic instability of societies around the globe. In India too, it is spreading very rapidly, although the case fatality rate is below 1.50%, which is markedly less than in other countries, despite the dense population and minimal health infrastructure in rural areas. May be due to the use of many antiviral Indian medicinal plants and traditional herbal formulations. Out of 250 medicinal herbs used by Kolli hills tribals 17 plants used for cold, cough and fever. Sirumalali tribals are using about 9 herbs for cold and fever out or 90 medicinal plants available in their area. Traditional formulations such as Nilavembu kudineer and Kabasura kudineer are playing an important role in the management of Covid 19 in Tamil Nadu. There is an urgent need to find a specific cure for the disease and global efforts are directed at developing SARS-CoV-2 specific antiviral herbal formulations. The most commonly and repeatedly reported species are Adathoda vasica Nees, Tylophora indica Burm. f. Merr. Datura metal Linn., Clerodendrum serratum Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., Leucas aspera (Willd.)Link., Ocimum sanctum Linn. This review aimed to summarize and analyze therapeutic potential of Indian medicinal plants in the eradication and management of corona virus and its complications. The compounds obtained from Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia and Ocimum sanctum could bind to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and decrease the viral transcription and replication serving as a potential inhibitor. Based on the information available probability of developing a new herbal anti viral formulation from Indian medicinal plants for the management or treatment of COVID-19 is suggested.
