ABSTRACT
The publication and worldwide diffusion of the Ayurveda treatment of COVID-19 and the vital role that spices, and medicinal herbals play in this protocol, promoted by the Department of Health and Family Welfare of India (MoHFW), in the context of SARS-CoV2 infection. Encourage us to review updating the knowledge of these herbals' plants' biochemical mechanisms of action. Several biochemical mechanisms of action of spices have been studied and established in the context of COVID-19. It has been described that herbs act as blocking agonists of some cell receptors, such as the ACE2 receptor of the renin-angiotensin system and TRP receptors belonging to the superfamily of sensory neurons, responsible for symptoms the SARS-CoV2 virus. We also find widely recommended medicinal herbs such as Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera in this protocol, which has been described to stimulate the immune system and, at the same time, increase the destructive capacity of macrophages and biochemically block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 to host cells. Other medicinal herbs recommended by the Ayurveda protocol such as Curcuma longa L, Cinnamomum camphora, Eucalyptus globulus, Allium sativum L, Piper nigrum, Glycyrrhiza glabra L, as well as being potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory are traditionally selected as an adjuvant treatment indicated for "respiratory diseases" as in the current framework of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores the Ayurveda protocol and some recently recommended nutraceutical substances and spiced dietary guidelines, as an alternative treatment in concern to SARS-CoV2 infection, for the treatment of long-term side effects of the post-COVID syndrome.
ABSTRACT
Camphor (C10H16O) is a white crystalline solid exist in enantiomeric form R and S camphor. It is a terpenoid obtained from turpentine oil. Synthetically it is synthesized by catalytic process as alpha pinene. Naturally camphor is obtained by steam distillation of woods of Cinnamomum camphora tree, also known as Camphor tree, camphor laure and camphor wood. Camphor has many pharmacological properties. It acts as antiviral, anticancerous, antimicrobial, insecticidal, anticoccidial, anti-nociceptive and antitussive drug. In addition, it can be used as skin penetrating enhancer. Camphor gives a soothing and cooling effect, which helps to reduce pain. The reason behind its soothing effect is camphor act as a counter-irritant by activating heat sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 3 receptors and inhibits the transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 8 receptor. As a result, these receptors provide a sensation of scalding heat and pain (nociception) and could be used to treat neuropathic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, or amputation, as well as pain associated with the inflammatory response of damaged tissue such as in osteoarthritis. Camphor has a history of epidemics cure. During leishmaniosis (kala-azar) pandemic in 14th century, camphor was used as fumigant to control the spread of plague in European countries. In 19th century when cholera, small pox and influenza spreads, camphor was used as mothballs in Indian subcontinent as a (cough reliever) agent. During 18th century Russian influenza “flu pandemic” founder of Homeopathy Hahnemann in 1831, published his research work on camphor and suggested camphor as a “divine remedy” for influenza given in extremely small doses. In the same year, several companies launched to sell menthol rub as natural rub ointment consisting camphor as prevention measures for spread of influenza. As the recent epidemic of COVID-19 arises, prevention and control of spread of disease is an alarming issue. This article covered the glimpse of uses and importance of camphor in the history of epidemic cure.