Background The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru has led to people seeking alternative treatments as preventives and treatment options such as medicinal plants. This study aimed to assess factors associated with the use of medicinal plants as preventive or treatment of respiratory symptom related to COVID-19 during the pandemic in Cusco, Peru. Method A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted on general public (20- to 70-year-old) from August 31 to September 20, 2020. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire via Google Forms, it consisted of an 11-item questionnaire that was developed and validated by expert judgment using Aiken’s V (Aiken’s V > 0.9). Both descriptive statistics and bivariate followed by multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess factors associated with the use of medicinal plants for COVID-19 prevention and respiratory symptom treatment during the pandemic. Prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI), and a P-value of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results A total of 1,747 respondents participated in the study, 80.2% reported that they used medicinal plants as preventives, while 71% reported that they used them to treat respiratory symptoms. At least, 24% of respondents used medicinal plants when presenting with two or more respiratory symptoms, while at least 11% used plants for malaise. For treatment or prevention, the multivariate analysis showed that most respondents used eucalyptus (p < 0.001 for both), ginger (p < 0.022 for both), spiked pepper (p < 0.003 for both), garlic (p = 0.023 for prevention), and chamomile (p = 0.011 for treatment). The respondents with COVID-19 (p < 0.001), at older ages (p = 0.046), and with a family member or friend who had COVID-19 (p < 0.001) used more plants for prevention. However, the respondents with technical or higher education used less plants for treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion There was a significant use of medicinal plants for both prevention and treatment, which was associated with several population characteristics and whether respondents had COVID-19.

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Use of medicinal plants for COVID-19 prevention and respiratory symptom treatment during the pandemic in Cusco, Peru: A cross-sectional survey.

The present study explores the SARS-CoV-2 drugable target inhibition efficacy of phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and MM-PBSA analysis. A total of 130 phytochemicals were screened against SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S)-protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and Main protease (Mpro). Result of molecular docking showed that Isoquercetin potentially binds with the active site/protein binding site of the Spike, RdRP, and Mpro targets with a docking score of -8.22, -6.86, and -9.73 kcal/mole, respectively. Further, MS 3, 7-Hydroxyaloin B, 10-Hydroxyaloin A, showed -9.57, -7.07, -8.57 kcal/mole docking score against Spike, RdRP, and Mpro targets respectively. The MD simulation was performed to study the favorable confirmation and energetically stable complex formation ability of Isoquercetin and 10-Hydroxyaloin A phytochemicals in Mpro-unbound/ligand bound/standard inhibitor bound system. The parameters such as RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, Hydrogen-bond formation, energy landscape, principal component analysis showed that the lead phytochemicals form stable and energetically stabilized complex with the target protein. Further, MM-PBSA analysis was performed to compare the Gibbs free energy of the Mpro-ligand bound and standard inhibitor bound complexes. The analysis revealed that the His-41, Cys145, Met49, and Leu27 amino acid residues were majorly responsible for the lower free energy of the complex. Drug likeness and physiochemical properties of the test compounds showed satisfactory results. Taken together, the study concludes that that the Isoquercetin and 10-Hydroxyaloin A phytochemical possess significant efficacy to bind SARS-Cov-2 Mpro active site. The study necessitates further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation of these lead phytochemicals to assess their anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.

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Identification of Natural Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Drugable Targets Using Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and MM-PBSA Approach.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For many thousands of years, herbal products and dietary plants have been prescribed for various diseases by traditional healers. Thus, the aim of this review is to present main herbal products, their source, characteristics, and potential antiviral actions concerning COVID-19. Publications on herbal products related to antiviral effects were searched from different databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medline, Scopus, and PubMed, until August 2021, using English key terms. According to different studies, there are so many important medicinal plants with antiviral activity, which can be used for viral infections or can be prescribed as supportive treatment. lack of information on the safety profile and amount of dose for different diseases is some of the limitations of medicinal plants. herbal medicine can interfere with COVID-19 pathogenesis by inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry to host cells. Some of the antiviral medicinal plant species are citrus Spp., orange (C. Sinensis), Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Mentha piperita, and nigella sativa are the most desirable herbal drink or fruit that can introduce effective adjuvant components in COVID-19 management.

Herbal medicine use for the management of COVID-19: A review article.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly pathogenic virus, is responsible for a respiratory disease termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes various structural and non-structural proteins, which are necessary for viral entry and replication. Among these proteins, papain-like protease (PLpro), 3C-like protease (3CLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), helicase, a serine protease, and spike protein are potential targets of herbal remedies and phytocompounds for inhibition of viral infection and replication. There is at present no confirmed cure for the COVID-19. Various plants and their components have been introduced against SARS-Co-2. A number of review articles have also been published on them. This article is focusing on the mechanistic aspects of these plants and their derivatives on SARS-CV-2. METHOD: The material in this review article was prepared from significant scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Different medicinal plants and their phytocompounds interact with important structural and non-structural of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Natural compounds form strong bonds with the active site of SARS-CoV-2 protease and make large conformational changes. These phytochemicals are potential inhibitors of structural and non-structural of SARS-CoV-2 proteins such as Spike protein, PLpro, and 3CLpro. Some important anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions of medicinal plants and their metabolites are inhibition of the virus replication or entry, blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor and "Transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2)" regulation of inflammatory mediators, inhibition of endothelial activation, toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Some of these important natural immune boosters that are helpful for prevention and curing various symptoms related to COVID-19 include Allium sativum, Nigella sativa, Glycyrrhiza glabra Zingiber officinalis, Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, and Scutellaria baicalensis. Also, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Baicalin, Scutellarin, Glycyrrhizin, Curcumin, Apigenin, Ursolic acid, and Chloroquine are the best candidates for treating the symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION: Medicinal plants and/or their bioactive compounds with inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 support the human immune system and help in fighting against COVID-19 and rejuvenating the immune system.

Mechanistic Aspects of Medicinal Plants and Secondary Metabolites against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The management of orofacial pain to alleviate the quality of life of affected patients is becoming increasingly challenging for scientific research and healthcare professionals. From this perspective, in addition to conventional therapies, new alternatives are being sought, increasingly looking at the use of both natural and synthetic products. Cannabis sativa L. represents an interesting source of bioactive compounds, including non-psychoactive cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, many of which are effective in improving pain intensity. Here, we aim to analyze the possible mechanisms of action of the bioactive natural and synthetic hemp-derived compounds responsible for the modulatory effects on pain-related pathways. The ability of these compounds to act on multiple mechanisms through a synergistic effect, reducing both the release of inflammatory mediators and regulating the response of the endocannabinoid system, makes them interesting agents for alternative formulations to be used in orofacial pain.

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Cannabis Bioactive Compound-Based Formulations: New Perspectives for the Management of Orofacial Pain

Currently, the search to identify treatments and vaccines for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are ongoing. Desperation within the community, especially among the middle-and low-income groups acutely affected by the economic impact of forced lockdowns, has driven increased interest in exploring alternative choices of medicinal plant-based therapeutics. This is evident with the rise in unsubstantiated efficacy claims of these interventions circulating on social media. Based on enquiries received, our team of researchers was given the chance to produce evidence summaries evaluating the potential of complementary interventions in COVID-19 management. Here, we present and discuss the findings of four selected medicinal plants (Nigella sativa, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Eurycoma longifolia), with reported antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects that might be interesting for further investigation. Our findings showed that only A. indica reported positive antiviral evidence specific to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on preliminary in silico data while all four medicinal plants demonstrated differential anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects. The definitive roles of these medicinal plants in cytokine storms and post-infection complications remains to be further investigated. Quality control and standardisation of medicinal plant-based products also needs to be emphasized. However, given the unprecedented challenges faced, ethnopharmacological research should be given a fair amount of consideration for contribution in this pandemic.

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Medicinal Plants in COVID-19: Potential and Limitations

Introduction Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa), commonly used for industrial purposes, is now being consumed by the public for various health promoting effects. As popularity of hemp research and claims of beneficial effects rises, a systematic collection of current scientific evidence on hemp's health effects and pharmacological properties is needed to guide future research, clinical, and policy decision making. Objective To provide an overview and identify the present landscape of hemp research topics, trends, and gaps. Methods A systematic search and analysis strategy according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis-ScR (PRISMA-ScR) checklist on electronic databases including MEDLINE, OVID (OVFT, APC Journal Club, EBM Reviews), Cochrane Library Central and Clinicaltrials.gov was conducted to include and analyse hemp research articles from 2009 to 2019. Results 65 primary articles (18 clinical, 47 pre-clinical) were reviewed. Several randomised controlled trials showed hempseed pills (in Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation MaZiRenWan) improving spontaneous bowel movement in functional constipation. There was also evidence suggesting benefits in cannabis dependence, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders. Pre-clinically, hemp derivatives showed potential anti-oxidative, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-acne, and anti-microbial activities. Renal protective effects and estrogenic properties were also exhibited in vitro. Conclusion Current evidence on hemp-specific interventions are still preliminary, with limited high quality clinical evidence for any specific therapeutic indication. This is mainly due to the wide variation in test item formulation, as the multiple variants of this plant differ in their phytochemical and bioactive compounds. Future empirical research should focus on standardising the hemp plant for pharmaceutical use, and uniformity in experimental designs to strengthen the premise of using hemp in medicine.

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Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa's pharmacological properties and health effects: A scoping review of current evidence.

Drug repurposing is commonly employed in the search for potential therapeutic agents. Andrographis paniculata, a medicinal plant commonly used for symptomatic relief of the common cold, and its phy...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X211016610

Xin Yi Lim

Papers

Medicinal Plants in COVID-19: Potential and Limitations

Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa's pharmacological properties and health effects: A scoping review of current evidence.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex Nees, Andrographolide, and Andrographolide Analogues as SARS-CoV-2 Antivirals? A Rapid Review: