ABSTRACT
In 2020, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to a significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. As of the date of this writing, a total of 116 M cases has been diagnosed worldwide leading to 2.5 M deaths. The number of mortalities is directly correlated with the rise of innate immune cells (especially macrophages) in the lungs that secrete inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6) leading to the development of "Cytokine Storm Syndrome" (CSS), multi-organ-failure and death. Given that currently the treatment of this condition is rare and release of effective vaccine might be months away, here, we review the plants and their pharmacologically active-compounds as potential phytopharmaceuticals for the virus induced inflammatory response. Experimental validation of the effectiveness of these natural compounds to prevent or reduce the cytokine storm might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment of SARS-CoV-2.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Cytokine Release Syndrome/prevention & control , Phytotherapy/methods , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Humans , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/metabolism , Plants, Medicinal/classification , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Virulence/drug effects , Virulence/immunologyABSTRACT
Background: Current study aim to describe epidemiological, clinical and demographic features in patients confirmed to have COVID-19 in Balochistan Methods: This descriptive cross sectional Study was conducted during months of March and April 2020 based on the secondary data available regarding COVID-19 positive patients from the health service records of Government of Balochistan quarantine centers and hospitals during this period. Data was analyzed by using Excel and SPSS version 23. Mean and standard deviations are used for continuous variables like age and duration of stay (of recovered patients), while frequencies and percentages were used to describe age categories, point of entry and current status. Age specific case fatality rate is calculated by keeping deaths in numerator and confirmed cases in denominator.
ABSTRACT
The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) imposed public health emergency and affected millions of people around the globe. As of January 2021, 100 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with more than 2 million deaths were reported worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines thereby leading to the development of "Cytokine Storm Syndrome." This condition results in uncontrollable inflammation that further imposes multiple-organ-failure eventually leading to death. SARS-CoV-2 induces unrestrained innate immune response and impairs adaptive immune responses thereby causing tissue damage. Thus, understanding the foremost features and evolution of innate and adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is crucial in anticipating COVID-19 outcomes and in developing effective strategies to control the viral spread. In the present review, we exhaustively discuss the sequential key immunological events that occur during SARS-CoV-2 infection and are involved in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. In addition to this, we also highlight various therapeutic options already in use such as immunosuppressive drugs, plasma therapy and intravenous immunoglobulins along with various novel potent therapeutic options that should be considered in managing COVID-19 infection such as traditional medicines and probiotics.