Indian medicinal plants are effective in the treatment and management of COVID-19

Indian medicinal plants are referred to as the "nectar of life" owing to their phytochemicals and bioactive complexes that are beneficial in treating diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health issue without any proper medication. The indigenous plants of India can be exploited to control the precise signs of SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has advised routine usage of medicinal plants for COVID-19. Medicinal plants like Zingiber officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, etc. have immunity-boosting, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions that can suppress and treat symptoms of COVID-19. In vitro, in vivo as well as in silico validation, these phytochemicals can help us to manage and treat COVID-19 disease. This integration of traditional knowledge in the prophylaxis of corona infection and current skills validating it for the development of precise and powerful therapeutic approaches will more efficiently resolve different clinical aspects of COVID-19. The review focuses on both traditional and emergent methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 with various Indian medicinal plants along with their phytochemicals.Copyright © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.

Tulsi-A potential immune boosting functional food ingredient to combat COVID-19

Now a days coronavirus is the most discussed topic in everywhere and recent outbreak in the worldwide. At first it was found in Wuhan city, China and then spreaded every corner of the world like a wildfire and finally it becomes pandemic. Coronavirus is basically RNA strands which creates acute respiratory problem. It spreads from human to human which is known as zoonotic transmission. The only way to break the spreading of this chain is social distancing and takes some important precautions like wearing face musk, frequent washing hands by soap etc. Till now there is no vaccine or medicine available, only symptomatic treatment is the only way to cure. Immunity boosting is the most important way to combat COVID-19. Even health experts also revealed that poor immunity is the reason to death by this virus. So, balanced diet, therapeutic diet, adequate sleep, meditation and yoga plays important role to improve immunity power of the human body system. In this regards, Tulsi (Ociumsanetum) also plays an important role to boost immunity system as it has many important medicinal properties. This article shows the medicinal importance and characteristics of Tulsi to combat COVID-19 by immunity boosting. © 2021, Narendra Publishing House, Delhi, India.

Phytonanoparticles and COVID-19

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has grasped the entire world due to its high rate of spread with serious public health concern. The scientific community has applied all possible therapeutic strategies to defeat the virus, still the situation is not in control. So, as a fresh approach, the "phytonanoparticles" can be used as a powerful gadget against COVID-19 because it can be formulated to perform directly concerning the infection, enhancing drug delivery system or by the way of stimulating the immunity of the patient. The plant extract bioactive can offer its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Selective drug targeting of these plant compounds is needed for augmenting drug stability, solubility, increasing drug half-lives in the blood and reducing adverse effects in non-target organs. Green nano-based drugs use plant extract as a bioreduction and capping agent at room temperature. The green nanoparticles can be aimed to decrease the oxidative stress and systemic inflammation of COVID-19 with increased activity and lesser toxicity to normal cells. This review work summarises the antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory potential of green nanoparticles biosynthesised with plant derived molecules with advanced delivery systems which has a possibility to act as efficient potential remedy against coronavirus. This review discusses the scientific explorations of phytonanoparticles which can protect human lives from the devastation of SARS-CoV-2 because of its enhanced anticoronavirus biological activity.

Spices boosting immunity in COVID-19

COVID-19 caused by the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is likely to cause oxidative stress like other RNA viruses. The cytokine storm mechanism includes pulmonary alveolar membranes hyalinization, hyper-inflammation and lethal respiratory distress. Persons with diabetes, asthma and heart problems already have oxidative stress;viral infection increases stress and, thus contribute to COVID-19 severity. Traditional Indian spices will serve as boosters of energy and immunity and prepare the body for the prevention of infection and immunization. The spices which were included in this article are: Ginger (Zingiber officinale L.), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L.), Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Bay leaves (Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees and C. H. Eberm., Laurus nobilis L.), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), Asafoetida (Ferulaassa-foetida L.), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), Nutmeg and Mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt.), Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Garlic (Allium Sativum L.), Allspice (Pimenta officinalis (L.) Merr.), Peppermint (Mentha x piperita L./Mentha balsamea Wild), Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L., Capsicum baccatum L., Capsicum annuum L.), Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill), Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J.S. Presl.), Cardamom (Alpinia cardamomum (L.) Roxb.;Amomum cardamomum L.), Mustard (Brassica nigra (L.) Koch) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill). The use of spices can help in decreasing the severity and help in the prevention of coronavirus infection. These spices contain polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spices can potentiate health functionality by acting on various pathological processes. The risks of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be mitigated with a special reference the respiratory health by the use of these spices every day, which strengthens the natural protection mechanism (immunity) of the body. Spices acting as immunity boosters not only helps to stay healthy from seasonal flu, but also possesses anti-viral properties to combat coronavirus. The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India also endorses these immunity boosting spices and their proper use. In this study, numerous conventional spices and their bioactive components and effects have been compiled and discussed to help improve our immune system and also play a key role in the battle against microbial infections, like COVID-19. This paper will help researchers and industries to recognize and analyze possible spices that can satisfy their interests for various applications, including the development of herbal/Ayurvedic antiviral drugs.