Indian Traditional Medicine for COVID-19

Background: A novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak causing infectious respiratory disorders. COVID-19 disease has no specific treatment. In traditional medicinal system, different formulations are available for infectious diseases. Objective(s): This review discusses the significance and utilization of Siddha and Ayurvedic herbal formulations for COVID-19 treatment and provides scientific information regarding the phytochem-istry and pharmacological profiles of Indian medicinal plants used in the formulation. Method(s): The information on medicine and medicinal plants was collected from research papers, review papers, and books available in several electronic databases, including Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and PubMed was explored as information sources. Result(s): Traditional medicinal plants are potentially used in formulations due to their inevitable therapeutic properties. Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of medicinal plants used in the formulations served as scientific proof for traditional medicine. Conclusion(s): The present study explored the great importance of Siddha and Ayurvedic formulations for COVID-19 treatment. Further scientific investigations are required to explore these formulations as widely acceptable.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Overview of COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Management and Prevention in Light of the Indian Traditional Medicine System

With the global death toll nearing 3.3 million, India being amongst the top 4 countries, the condition is more than fearsome. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one doctor per 1000 population ratio, but India lags it by one doctor to 1456 people, which sets a lot of pressure on the healthcare system. Traditional remedies are becoming increasingly popular in India as a re-sult of the lack of a proper medical system. Due to the rich diversity of medicinal herbs and drugs, India has been managing health issues with its 5000 years old medication system. Amidst all this, the traditional medicine system has given relief to plenty of diseases and remains the primary de-fence system against COVID-19. Therefore, COVID-19 is also managed by its different medicinal systems, which are collectively known as the AYUSH regime. It had been a recognized system to tackle diseases in the past. In this mini-review, we performed a deep study of the Indian traditional medicine system in managing the COVID-19 situation.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Herbal and Ayurvedic Plants as Remedial Approach for Viral Diseases with Focus on COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Background: Infectious diseases have posed a major threat to human survival for centu-ries and can devastate entire populations. Recently, the global outbreak of COVID-19 has increased exponentially, affecting more than 200 countries and millions of lives since the fall of 2019, largely due to the ineffectiveness of existing antiviral therapies. WHO announced it a public health emer-gency of international concern. A significant waiting period in antiviral therapy hindered by the rapid evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 aggravated the situation ensuing imposition of strict laws (e.g., communal dissociation, international travel restrictions, and mainte-nance of hygiene) that would help in inhibiting further outspread of COVID-19. Ayurveda system of medicine offers a holistic approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective(s): This review aims to highlight the potential of medicinal herbs and Ayurvedic drugs as the remedial approach for viral diseases, such as COVID-19. Method(s): We reviewed the literature from journal publication websites and electronic databases, such as Bentham, Science Direct, Pub Med, Scopus, USFDA, etc. Result(s): The drugs used in the traditional system of medicine have the potential to prevent and cure the infected patient. Ayurvedic therapies are known for regulating immunity and rejuvenation properties that behold much promise in the management of COVID-19 disease. Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH recommends some precautionary fitness measures and an increase in immunity with special reference to respiratory health. Conclusion(s): While there is no medication for COVID-19 as of now, taking preventive measures and boosting body immunity is highly recommended. A number of medicinal plants that play an im-portant role in revitalizing the immune system are easily accessible in home remedies.Copyright © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

Effects of different stirrer modes on the physicochemical properties of vegetables during cooking

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused dietary changes. Humans reduced social activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which led to increasing demand for machines to help cook. This work studies the effect of different stirrer modes on the texture of celery, asparagus, green peppers, and spinach during the cooking process and the functional loss of components in vegetables by measuring the changes in vitamin C, total polyphenols, and total flavonoids. The results showed that colour changes and loss of nutrients in each vegetable varied under different stirrer modes. Stirring was found to be the best mode for cooking all four vegetables. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the a* value and functional components during the cooking process, which means that the colour difference and nutritional loss of vegetables can be modulated together. This study provides theoretical guidance for developing the stirring unit in a cooking machine.

Effects of different stirrer modes on the physicochemical properties of vegetables during cooking

Summary The coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused dietary changes. Humans reduced social activities to prevent the spread of COVID‐19, which led to increasing demand for machines to help cook. This work studies the effect of different stirrer modes on the texture of celery, asparagus, green peppers, and spinach during the cooking process and the functional loss of components in vegetables by measuring the changes in vitamin C, total polyphenols, and total flavonoids. The results showed that colour changes and loss of nutrients in each vegetable varied under different stirrer modes. Stirring was found to be the best mode for cooking all four vegetables. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the a* value and functional components during the cooking process, which means that the colour difference and nutritional loss of vegetables can be modulated together. This study provides theoretical guidance for developing the stirring unit in a cooking machine. [ FROM AUTHOR]

THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC ON HUMAN SOCIETY

Created according to his own legends in the image and likeness of God, the individual considers himself to be very strong and therefore he settled at the forefront of the food chain although scientists' calculations offered him a trophic index of only 2.2 (the same index belongs to the anchovy and ... to the pig). [...]from time to time, the appearance of epidemics brings into question the existence of invisible enemies (this is how Macron named them) who interrupt the glorious path of humanity which has become a source of nourishment for reluctant, without intelligence but rapacious and ruthless, beings. From this area, the climate, heat and humidity parameters and the jungle with its nutritive offer created proper conditions for the development of life and led to a great diversity of plant, animal, bird, fish, but also fungi, bacteria and viruses. Romania represents a typical example of unprofessional approach regarding the pandemic and this lack of professionalism and organisation as well as the insufficient material and human resource management lead to further calamities. There are numerous errors that could be highlighted, but some of them are completely unforgivable: the absence of epidemiologists in the initial debut phases, which led to poor and unorganised antiepidemic measures, the "asparagus" action during the isolation period, therefore violating the provisions of the military ordinances by carrying groups of people from one end of the country to the other, to airports that were too and unnecessarily far away, the unprofessional treatment of the returnee groups and their transport to Suceava with the well-known consequences (starting from the Middle Ages quarantine was organised at the border).

In-silico investigation of phytochemicals from Asparagus racemosus as plausible antiviral agent in COVID-19.

COVID-19 has ravaged the world and is the greatest of pandemics in human history, in the absence of treatment or vaccine the mortality and morbidity rates are very high. The present investigation was undertaken to screen and identify the potent leads from the Indian Ayurvedic herb, Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) against SARS-CoV-2 using molecular docking and dynamics studies. The docking analysis was performed on the Glide module of Schrödinger suite on two different proteins from SARS-CoV-2 viz. NSP15 Endoribonuclease and spike receptor-binding domain. Asparoside-C, Asparoside-D and Asparoside -F were found to be most effective against both the proteins as confirmed through their docking score and affinity. Further, the 100 ns molecular dynamics study also confirmed the potential of these compounds from reasonably lower root mean square deviations and better stabilization of Asparoside-C and Asparoside-F in spike receptor-binding domain and NSP15 Endoribonuclease respectively. MM-GBSA based binding free energy calculations also suggest the most favourable binding affinities of Asparoside-C and Asparoside-F with binding energies of -62.61 and -55.19 Kcal/mol respectively with spike receptor-binding domain and NSP15 Endoribonuclease. HighlightsAsparagus racemosus have antiviral potentialPhytochemicals of Shatavari showed promising in-silico docking and MD resultsAsparaoside-C and Asparoside-F has good binding with target proteinsAsparagus racemosus holds promise as SARS-COV-2 (S) and (N) proteins inhibitor Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Improving the lipid oxidative and microbial stability of chicken protein-based shelf-stable snacks using Solanum nigrum, a natural immune booster

An attempt was made to develop chicken protein-based shelf-stable snacks and to improve their lipid-oxidative and microbial-stability using Solanum nigrum extract. The snacks were developed using different levels of chicken protein-powder viz. 20% (T-1), 30% (T-2), 40% (T-3), and 0.0% (control). Products containing optimum level of protein-powder (40%) and S. nigrum extract (1.0%) were stored for 75 days (25 +/- 1 degrees C). The addition of protein-powder significantly decreased the carbohydrate whereas increased protein and fat contents. Products containing 40% protein-powder showed the highest scores for all sensory attributes. The 1,1 diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl-radical scavenging and total-phenolic content of S. nigrum extract was 79.0% and 80 mg GAE/g, respectively. The extract significantly reduced the free-fatty acids, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, and microbial counts while improving the sensory quality of the products during storage. S. nigrum and protein-powder improved the nutritive value and storage stability of the shelf-stable snacks. S. nigrum-based snacks can have health importance during the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 due to their strong immune-boosting properties. Novelty impact statement Chicken protein-based shelf-stable snacks were developed and Solanum nigrum extract was used to improve their storage quality and functional value. The extract improved the lipid oxidative and microbial stability of the developed products.

Standardized Extract of Asparagus officinalis Stem Attenuates SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-Induced IL-6 and IL-1ß Production by Suppressing p44/42 MAPK and Akt Phosphorylation in Murine Primary Macrophages.

Excessive host inflammation following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with severity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We recently reported that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit (S1) induces pro-inflammatory responses by activating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in macrophages. A standardized extract of Asparagus officinalis stem (EAS) is a unique functional food that elicits anti-photoaging effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory signaling in hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet B-exposed skin fibroblasts. To elucidate its potential in preventing excessive inflammation in COVID-19, we examined the effects of EAS on pro-inflammatory responses in S1-stimulated macrophages. Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages were co-treated with EAS and S1. Concentrations and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Expression and phosphorylation levels of signaling proteins were analyzed using western blotting and fluorescence immunomicroscopy. EAS significantly attenuated S1-induced secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 in a concentration-dependent manner without reducing cell viability. EAS also markedly suppressed the S1-induced transcription of IL-6 and IL-1ß. However, among the TLR4 signaling proteins, EAS did not affect the degradation of inhibitor κBα, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit, and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase p54 subunit after S1 exposure. In contrast, EAS significantly suppressed S1-induced phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt. Attenuation of S1-induced transcription of IL-6 and IL-1ß by the MAPK kinase inhibitor U0126 was greater than that by the Akt inhibitor perifosine, and the effects were potentiated by simultaneous treatment with both inhibitors. These results suggest that EAS attenuates S1-induced IL-6 and IL-1ß production by suppressing p44/42 MAPK and Akt signaling in macrophages. Therefore, EAS may be beneficial in regulating excessive inflammation in patients with COVID-19.