Self-medication Practices for COVID-19 Prevention: A Study among Medical Students in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the interest in self-care strategies, including self-medication. Medical students, as future health practitioners, learn more about medications than other students. This study aimed to describe self-medication practices for preventing COVID-19 among medical students at Universitas Islam Indonesia. This observational study used a cross-sectional design and was undertaken in November- December 2020. The study sample included 336 undergraduate medical students determined using a consecutive sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using an online questionnaire about self-medication practices in the preceding 3 months. Among a total of 336 students, 137 (41%) reported using self-medication intending to prevent COVID-19, and 126 (92%) of these 137 took preventive supplements, mainly vitamins C, D, and E, and omega-3. Seven students reported the use of zinc, mainly in combination with other vitamins. Students who practiced self-medication lived closer to people confirmed with COVID-19, washed their hands more often, and desinfected their belongings more frequently than their counterparts (p<0.05). The mean duration for consuming vitamins was 11-16 days. Forty students (29%) used herbal medicine to prevent COVID-19;ginger, turmeric, honey, black seed, cutcherry, and Curcuma were the most often consumed herbal remedies. Fourteen students (10%) reported taking over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms related to COVID-19, including antipyretic, analgesic, antiseptic, antihistamine, decongestant, antitussive, and expectorant medications. Most respondents (82%) purchased their medications at pharmacies, and 11 (9%) obtained them from online shops. These findings show the high rate of self-medication using vitamins and herbal remedies for COVID-19 prevention among university medical students. Further studies are needed to explore students' knowledge about the risks of self-medication including the use of herbal medicines.Copyright © 2022 Marmara University Press.

A Eucalyptus and Lemon Essential Oils as an Alternative for Symptoms Management of COVID-19: A Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 without underlying medical issues are asked to self-manage symptoms with minimal medicines and lifestyle changes. However, the majority of current guidelines make no particular recommendations for treating COVID-19 symptoms, which, in addition to being extremely debilitating, contribute to the virus's transmissionPatients with COVID-19 were given eucalyptus and lemon essential oils as part of this study to see if they could reduce their symptoms. Methods: This study was conducted using two-group single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 100 participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the aromatherapy group (n =50) or the control group (n=50). The intervention group inhaled three drops of eucalyptus and lemon were combined in a 1:1 ratio for 20 minutes in 7 days. Each participant was asked to indicate whether or not they had experienced any of the 13 Major COVID-19 symptoms. Results: Eucalyptus and lemon essential oils improved outcomes relative to the control at T1 across two outcomes: 1) total number of symptoms decreased 2.39 (1.11 to 7.39), 2) body temperature score saw a modest decreased 2.17 points (95% CI 1.12 to 6.48). At T2, improved outcomes relative to the control were observed in family total number of symptoms (DID coefficient 3.41 (95% CI (1.12 to 6.75), body temperature (DID coefficient 2.39, 95% CI 1.18 to 6.63). Conclusion: Eucalyptus and lemon essentials oils (applied together) could be used as an alternative therapy for COVID-19 symptoms management. © 2022 UPM Press. All rights reserved.

An Ethnobotanical Survey of COVID-19 Therapeutic Plants

After the emergence of COVID-19, the global usage of herbal medicine has expanded considerably. Exploring the scientific and clinical potential of medicinal plants, the World Health Organization (WHO) promotes projects to create COVID-19 medicines via traditional medicine. The purpose of our research was to compile a list of plants used in the outpatient treatment of COVID-19 by herbalists, including the plants, the sections utilized, and the method of preparation and administration. an ethnobotanical survey was done in order to determine the plants prescribed by herbalists to their COVID-19 patients/clients. In our investigation, we discovered 14 plant species, with Eucalyptus globulus, Lavandula angustifolia, Artemisia herbacea alba, Syzygium aromaticum, and Thymus vulgaris being the most often suggested.Copyright © 2023, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of aroma-Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus oil in alleviating COVID-19 vaccine discomfort side effects.

CONTEXT: Aromatherapy is considered a mild and non-invasive complementary treatment to relieve post-vaccination discomforts. There have been no studies that examine the use of aroma-Tea Tree oil and Eucalyptus oil to relieve the discomfort side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the use of two aroma-essential oils to relieve discomfort side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. DESIGN: The study used experimental design to match two groups of participants. SETTING: The participants' home. PARTICIPANTS: Adults who had not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 but were planning to receive it were recruited. The current study included 87 control participants matched to 83 experimental participants. INTERVENTION: The participants in the experimental group used Tea tree and Eucalyptus while the control group did not. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire was used to collect data on the topical and systematic symptoms related to COVID-19 vaccines. Both groups were asked to complete the online questionnaire and report their health status 24 h (T1) and 48 h (T2) after vaccination. RESULTS: The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups in swelling, injection side pain, lump, fever, and muscle ache (p = .05, 0.04, <0.00, 0.02, 0.02, respectively) for T1; but for T2, a significant difference between the two groups was found only in lump and fever (p = .05, 0.03). Aroma-Tea Tree oil and Eucalyptus oil may be recognized and accepted by more people worldwide to provide a safe and healthy option not only for post-vaccination care but also to relieve pain, fever, and skin lumps associated with other diseases or conditions.

The Effects of Apium graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus in Decreasing Stress and Protecting Folliculogenesis Marker on Woman Reproductive Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress during Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects the physiological and immunological response to women's reproductive health. Meanwhile, Apium graveolens and Eucalyptus globulus are immunomodulators related to women's reproductive health. This investigation had a goal to examine the effectiveness of A. graveolens and E. globulus towards the expression of Heat Shock Protein-70 (HSP70) as the primary biomarker of stress, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-alpha) as a pro-inflammatory protein, along with Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF-9) as folliculogenesis markers. An experimental randomized controlled trial was utilized by using a pre-test and post-test control group design. Sixty women, who had stress based on DASS-21 questionnaire, were divided into two groups in Nusukan Health Center, Indonesia. The intervention group was orally administered with 300 mg A. graveolens capsules and E. globulus essential oil for 14 days, while the control group was given a placebo. Blood samples and stress levels were then evaluated before and after the intervention. No significant difference was found in the stress levels of the control and treatment groups at the pre-test. Meanwhile, the intervention group had the decreased HSP70, TNF-alpha, and stress levels (p<0.001). In contrast, increased LH and GDF-9 levels were displayed in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). These findings revealed that A. graveolens supplementation and E. globulus essential oil have the ability to decrease stress and are able to protect folliculogenesis markers on women's reproductive health due to stressful conditions during pandemic COVID-19. Copyright © 2022 by Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy (IJP).

In Vitro Antiviral Evaluations of Coldmix®: An Essential Oil Blend against SARS-CoV-2.

Coldmix® is a commercially available Eucalyptus aetheroleum and, Abies aetheroleum blend for medicinal applications. In this present study, the in vitro antiviral potential of Coldmix®, and its major constituents 1,8-cineole and α-pinene were evaluated by using the in vitro ACE2 enzyme inhibition assay as well as the direct contact test against SARS-CoV-2. The observed ACE2 enzyme inhibitory activity of Coldmix®, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene were 72%, 88%, and 80%, respectively; whereas in the direct contact test in the vapor phase, the destruction of the virus was 79.9% within 5 min and 93.2% in the 30th min, respectively. In a similar Coldmix® vapor phase setup using the in vitro cytotoxicity cell assay, E6 VERO healthy cells were experimentally not affected by toxicity. According to the promising initial antiviral results of Coldmix® and the individually tested constituents, detailed further in vivo evaluation using different virus classes is suggested.

Modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by plant derived substances used in over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) impact all age groups and have a significant economic and social burden on society, worldwide. Most URTIs are mild and self-limiting, but due to the wide range of possible causative agents, including Rhinovirus (hRV), Adenovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Coronavirus and Influenza, there is no single and effective treatment. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, including traditional medicines and those containing plant derived substances, help to alleviate symptoms including inflammation, pain, fever and cough. PURPOSE: This systematic review focuses on the role of the major plant derived substances in several OTC remedies used to treat cold symptoms, with a particular focus on the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels involved in pain and cough. METHODS: Literature searches were done using Pubmed and Web of Science, with no date limitations, using the principles of the PRISMA statement. The search terms used were 'TRP channel AND plant compound', 'cough AND plant compound', 'cough AND TRP channels AND plant compound', 'cough AND P2X3 AND plant compound' and 'P2X3 AND plant compound' where plant compound represents menthol or camphor or eucalyptus or turpentine or thymol. RESULTS: The literature reviewed showed that menthol activates TRPM8 and may inhibit respiratory reflexes reducing irritation and cough. Menthol has a bimodal action on TRPA1, but inhibition may have an analgesic effect. Eucalyptus also activates TRPM8 and inhibits TRPA1 whilst down regulating P2X3, aiding in the reduction of cough, pain and airway irritation. Camphor inhibits TRPA1 and the activation of TRPM8 may add to the effects of menthol. Activation of TRPV1 by camphor, may also have an analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS: The literature suggests that these plant derived substances have multifaceted actions and can interact with the TRP 'cough' receptors. The plant derived substances used in cough and cold medicines have the potential to target multiple symptoms experienced during a cold.

Use of Eucalyptus Oil in Mobile and Migrant Populations As A Positive Deviance to Prevent Malaria on Buru Island, Indonesia: An Efforts to Accelerate and Maintain Malaria Elimination in Specific Populations

Malaria is still a public health problem worldwide, which is increasingly difficult to handle due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Indonesia is a country targeted by WHO to become a Malaria-free country by 2030. Mobile and migrant populations (MMPs) on Buru Island, as a Malaria-vulnerable group, pose a particular challenge in efforts to accelerate and maintain elimination. The use of eucalyptus oil as a positive deviation (PD) in this group is an innovative strategy in Malaria control programs in this population. Method(s): This research is an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design to see the relationship between PD and Malaria in MMPs. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was performed to determine the most associated PD with Malaria in the MMPs group. Primary data was collected through interviews with a structured questionnaire and observation of 72 people from the MMPs group who met the criteria. Results and Discussion: From 19 PD identified, only seven related to Malaria in MMPs (p-value <alpha 0.05) in preventing Malaria: cleaning the environment (p=0.032), burning garbage (p=0.005), burning dry leaves (p=0.013), using the eucalyptus oil (0.001), consuming herbal medicine (p=0.013), "Baupu"/" Baukuf" (p=0.028) and utilizing hot steam from a "Kettle" (p=0.043). The logistic regression analysis showed that eucalyptus oil was the variable most related to Malaria prevention in MMPs (p=0.027;95% CI for EXP(B): 1.227 - 30.799). Conclusions and suggestions: Identification of PD and applying them in everyday life is essential in preventing Malaria in MMPs. Utilizing the potential of eucalyptus oil as a natural way to prevent Malaria in the era of elimination is an innovative and promising specific local-based approach, considering that Buru Island is a eucalyptus granary area in Maluku, Indonesia. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Antioxidant, Dermal and Acute Toxicological Effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Dehn-Blakely) Essential Oil on Male Wistar Rats

During the era of the COVID-19 lockdown, many Nigerians resorted to home remedies like herbal mixtures for therapy because they could not have access to orthodox medicine. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. camaldulensis) essential oil was one of such remedies as many believed it had the potential to treat colds, flu, sore throats, bronchitis and even prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective of the study is to check the antioxidant, dermal and acute toxicological effects of the E. camaldulensis essential oil. Rats were grouped into 8 of 5 each. Normal and corn oil (2ml/kg body weight) control groups. E. camaldulensis essential oil from Jos, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Benue zones were given at 2ml/kg body weight for 14 days as well as applied on the shaved skin of the rats. No mortality was recorded in the sub-acute toxicity study at low and high doses (10mg/kg and 5000mg/kg). The levels of AST, ALT, TNF-alpha and IL-6 did not significantly differ from normal control rats. Lungs Investigation recorded a significant increase in the TNF-alpha. Antioxidant enzyme assays showed a significant increase in catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase. Histological examination showed focal inflammation with moderate cytoplasmic clearing in the liver and focal mild epidermal sclerosis of the skin. Dermal application of the oil shows no significant toxic effect except some mild inflammation (skin irritation). Oral administrations were relatively safe with mild adverse effect observed in the lung inflammatory markers. Copyright © 2007 The authors.

TRAINING OF PKK GROUPS IN UTILIZING EUCALYPTUS LEAF PLANTS AS HAND SANITIZER PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING TELANG FLOWERS INTO IMPROVE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is a world health problem, including in Indonesia. To break the chain of transmission of the virus, we must maintain the immune system and apply the 3M principles, one of which is washing hands. A simple way that we can do is use natural ingredients in the form of plants that grow around such as telang flowers which are believed to be able to strengthen the immune system so that it effectively increases the body's immunity and can prevent the transmission of Covid-19 because it contains immunomodulatory substances and eucalyptus leaves that can be utilized. as a natural hand sanitizer because it contains antiseptic. Objective: The aim of this community service was to increase the knowledge and skills of the partners of the PKK women in Kedungsukodani Village regarding the use of eucalyptus leaves to produce natural hand sanitizer products and make various processed foods from telang flowers that can be utilized and consumed on a daily basis. Method: The methods used lectures, discussions and training by: 1) Presentation of material about telang flower and eucalyptus leaves, 2) making hand sanitizer from eucalyptus leaves, 3) making various processed products of telang flower, before (pre-test) and After (post test) the service activity was distributed questionnaires to the participants with the aim of measuring the participants' understanding of the material that had been delivered. Results: this activity had been carried out for one day and was attended by 30 participants and from the results of the pretest-posttest group of PKK mothers there was an increase in participants' understanding of more than 90% from before the presentation of the material, it means that the extension participants really understand how to process leaves. eucalyptus and telang flower as well as various processed food products from telang flower that can boost the immune system and maintain health during the pandemic. Conclusion: Community service activities had been carried out smoothly and have obtained appropriate results, namely the participants have known the benefits of the telang flower and eucalyptus leaves, and are able to process them into natural hand sanitizer products and various processed foods that are able to maintain health and improve the immune system if needed. consumed daily. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

Papain Like Protease: A Potential Target for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-Cov): The Battle Continues

Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) can trigger severe acute pneumonia, renal, digestive failure and even death. Coronaviruses express papain-like proteases (PLpro), multipurpose enzymes which had protease activity and can lacerate nonstructural proteins to manipulate the viral polyprotein responsible for replication. They also have deubiquitinating function, which can modify the innate immune response. The reduction of the infection of MERS-CoV is by Inhibition of PLpro with a ligand will wedge the cleavage progression of nonstructural protein. As a result, papain-like protease may be considered as a candidate for antiviral drug production. This current study focuses on screening of extracts from Neem and Eucalyptus for MERS-CoV that could be potentially used as an inhibitor against the disease. Blind molecular docking study was conducted by using Auto Dock followed by visualization using PyMol, which is examined in this existing study. Deacetylgedunin (Neem) and eucalyptol (Eucalyptus) showed successful binding to MERS-CoV papain-like protease based on measured parameters such as root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), binding capacity and inhibiting constant. The compound Deacetylgedunin found in neem exhibited the lowest RMSD value of 16.388 A and the highest binding energy of -8.28 kcal/mol. It also had the highest inhibition constant value of 851.36 nM and the lowest inhibition constant value of 851.36 nM. Since Deacetylgedunin gave a better result compared to Indinavir, hence it can be considered as a potential and safe alternative for the current medicine given for MERS-CoV disease. Copyright All © 2022 are reserved by International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.

Essential oil nebulization in mild COVID-19(EONCO): Early phase exploratory clinical trial.

Background: Medications studied for therapeutic benefits in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have produced inconclusive efficacy results except for steroids. Objective: A prospective randomized open-label, parallel-arm Phase I/II clinical trial was planned to compare essential oil (EO) blend versus placebo nebulization in mild COVID-19. Methods: A Phase I safety evaluation was carried out in a single ascending and multiple ascending dose study designs. We assessed Phase II therapeutic efficacy on COVID-19 and general respiratory symptoms on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 on the predesigned case record form. Viremia was evaluated on day 0, day 5, and day 10. Results: Dose-limiting toxicities were not reached with the doses, frequencies, and duration studied, thus confirming the formulation's preliminary safety. General respiratory symptoms (p < 0.001), anosmia (p < 0.05), and dysgeusia (p < 0.001) benefited significantly with the use of EO blend nebulization compared to placebo. Symptomatic COVID-19 participants with mild disease did not show treatment benefits in terms of symptomatic relief (p = 1.0) and viremia clearance (p = 0.74) compared to the placebo. EO blend was found to be associated with the reduced evolution of symptoms in previously asymptomatic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-positive study participants (p = 0.034). Conclusion: EO nebulization appears to be a safer add-on symptomatic relief approach for mild COVID-19. However, the direct antiviral action of the EO blend needs to be assessed with different concentrations of combinations of individual phytochemicals in the EO blend.

Etiology-Specific Olfactory Phenotypes for COVID-19 and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom associated with COVID-19 infection. While often transient, nearly 1 in 8 patients experience persistent dysfunction after initial infection resolution. Given the known association between impaired olfaction and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), this persistent COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction may impede early detection of cognitive decline. Method(s): Patients with confirmed COVID-19-associated hyposmia (n=73), MCI (n=58), and normal controls (n=86) were prospectively enrolled. Demographic data were collected alongside formal olfactory testing via AROMA (Affordable Rapid Olfaction Measurement Assay) at time of initial enrollment. MCI was assessed via MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). Multivariate logistic regressions were utilized to evaluate for associations between variables and etiology of olfactory dysfunction. Result(s): After controlling for age and gender, when compared against normal controls, the inability to smell licorice, cinnamon, and lemon at the lowest 3 concentrations increased odds of COVID-19 hyposmia by 10.8 (95% CI, 4.6-25.6), 5.7 (95% CI, 2.7-11.7), and 5.3 (95% CI, 2.6-10.8), respectively. While the inability to smell coffee (9.9 odds ratio [OR];95% CI, 2.02-48.1), eucalyptus (6.7 OR;95% CI, 2.2-20.0), and rose (4.0 OR;95% CI, 1.7-9.7) were associated with MCI, decreased ability to smell licorice, cinnamon, and lemon were not. When combined into a composite score and compared against controls, decreased detection of licorice, cinnamon, and lemon was associated with a 16.5 OR (95% CI, 6.6-41.3) for COVID-19 hyposmia. This composite score was not significantly associated with MCI (1.2 OR;95% CI, 0.6-2.2) and, as such, performed well at discriminating between COVID-19 and MCI patients (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve=0.76). Conclusion(s): Distinct patterns of impaired olfaction were noted for COVID-19. We show that this etiology-specific phenotype has good discriminative performance when differentiating from MCI-associated hyposmia, which may allow for continued utilization of olfactory screening for MCI even among those with previous COVID-19 infection.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 14(3), 2022

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 3, Volume 14, 2022: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Micropropagation and potential of bioactive compounds of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for nutrition and health;Anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular responses of Eucalyptus spp. under water deficit conditions and characteristics of Tunisian arid species;Escherichia coli infection, a negative prognostic factor on the evolution of patients with surgical diseases;Biological characteristics and mortality in patients with diabetes and COVID-19;The influence of Staphylococcus infections on the evolution of hospitalized patients: The experience of the surgical department of IRGH Cluj-Napoca;Parquetina nigrescens leaf infusion: a food-based approach for the management of diet-induced iron deficiency in weanling rats;Evaluation of the effects of calabash chalk on the haematological profile of Wistar rats;Inhibitory potential of rutin on lipopolysaccharide-induced toxicity and inflammatory response of raw U937 cells and macrophages;Hypoglycemic and in vitro antioxidant activities of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark hydromethanol extract;Polyploidization and speciation: patterns of natural hybridization and gene flow in basil (Ocimum spp.);Increasing liana biomass and carbon stocks in tropical dry evergreen forests of southern India.

Design and Engineering of Natural Cellulose Fiber-Based Biomaterials with Eucalyptus Essential Oil Retention to Replace Non-Biodegradable Delivery Systems.

This work aims at the design and engineering of sustainable biomaterials based on natural fibers to replace non-renewable fiber sources in the development of non-woven delivery systems. Cellulose fibers were used as the main support to produce multi-structured materials with the incorporation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) as an additive. A 3D carboxymethylcellulose matrix retaining a natural bioactive product, eucalyptus essential oil, (CMC/EO), with controlled release functionalities, was also applied to these materials using bulk and spray coating methodologies. Additionally, using a 3D modeling and simulation strategy, different interest scenarios were predicted to design new formulations with improved functional properties. Overall, the results showed that MFC provided up to 5% improved strength (+48%) at the expense of reduced softness (-10%) and absorbency (-13%) and presented a good potential to be used as an additive to maximize natural eucalyptus fibers content in formulations. The addition of CMC/EO into formulations' bulk revealed better strength properties (21-28%), while its surface coating improved absorption (23-25%). This indicated that both application methods can be used in structures proposed for different sustainable applications or a more localized therapy, respectively. This optimization methodology consists of a competitive benefit to produce high-quality functionalized biomaterials for added-value applications.

Adjuvant Therapy of Eucalyptusoil Significantly Improves Clinical Outcome in COVID 19 Patients

Background: Currently, there is no effective treatment available for COVID-19 infection. FDAauthorized drugs' emergency uses are still not widely available and not affordable to most patients in developing countries. Therefore, here we look for an affordable alternative therapy, Eucalyptus oil, which is already being used as a household remedy for respiratory infections in Indonesia. This study aimed to find out the role of Eucalyptus oil as adjunctive in coronavirus disease 2019.Methods: 50 mild-moderate COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned for a prospective clinical trial conducted in one of the academic hospitals in the eastern part of Indonesia. A group of 24 patients was given standard COVID-19 treatment as a control group, while another 26 patients were given standard therapy plus Eucalyptus oil as an adjuvant. Patients were followed for 15 days. The clinical symptoms, negative results of RT-PCR, and viral load were recorded during the study period. Clinical outcome symptoms parameter consisted of anosmia and cough. A negative result of COVID-19 was analyzed through qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Viral load analysis was undertaken by measuring the cycle threshold (Ct) values as indirect representatives. Results: There was a better trend of improvement of clinical symptoms among patients who received adjuvant treatment than the control group. Anosmia and cough were recovered faster in the treatment group. Negative proportion of COVID-19 RT-PCR is higher in treatment group than in control group (on day-10: 53.85% vs 20.83%, p = 0.0163;on day-15: 76.92% vs 54.16%, p = 0.0897), showing a faster conversion when administered with Eucalyptus oil. Cycle threshold (Ct) values of the treatment population are significantly higher on day-10 (representing the decrease of viral load) compared to those who received standard therapy only (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Using Eucalyptus oil as adjuvant of COVID-19 treatment promotes better recovery of clinical symptoms (anosmia and cough), faster conversion to negative RT-PCR result, and decreased viral load of mild-moderate COVID-19 patients.

In vitro and in silico Evaluation of ACE2 and LOX Inhibitory Activity of Eucalyptus Essential Oils, 1,8-Cineole, and Citronellal

Eucalyptus essential oils are well-known and used especially in upper respiratory tract pathologies or diseases as herbal drug preparations. In the present study, the in vitro angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme inhibitory potentials of commercial Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. essential oils were evaluated for their potential anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the major components, 1,8-cineole and citronellal, were evaluated for their ability to bind at the active site of either human ACE2 or human 5-LOX using an in silico setting. Before activity evaluation, Eucalyptus globulus and E citriodora essential oils were analysed by GC/FID and GC/MS, where 1,8-cineole (30%), and citronellal (80%) were identified as the major components, respectively. The in vitro ACE2 inhibition was calculated as 94.9% for E globulus, and that of E citriodora essential oil as 83.4%. In vitro LOX inhibition experiments for essential oils in the same order showed inhibitions of 71.3 and 91.4%, respectively, at 20 µg/mL test concentrations in microplate-based fluorometric assays. In addition, protein–ligand docking, and interaction profiling was used to gain structural and mechanistic insights into the in silico ACE2 and LOX inhibitory potentials of the major Eucalyptus essential oil constituents, 1,8-cineole as well as citronellal. The resulting data supported the in vitro findings;however, further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the activity.

A REVIEW AND UPDATING OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF BIOCHEMICAL MECHANISMS OF PERFORMANCE ACTING SOME SPICES & MEDICINAL HERBALS FROM AYURVEDA PROTOCOL VS COVID-19

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.

Identification of Direct-Use Geothermal Energy for Extracting Cajuput Oils Used to Reduce Respiratory Disorder Due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 disease causes severe symptoms like fever, cough, and respiratory disorder like streptococcus pneumonia. Essential oil in cajuput is oil is believed to have effect to reduce respiratory disorder due to COVID-19. While the cajuput oil is not proven to prevent or to heal COVID-19 patients, the treatments using cajuput oil are proven helpful to ease the symptoms. Indonesia as a tropical country has large-scale cultivation of cajuput plants, for example in 2017, Sumedang and Majalengka areas produced up to 4 tons raw material or 10 kg in a day. In producing cajuput oil, there are some steps required for oil extraction and distillation including modified steam distillation method used in this study. This method of essential oil extraction process may use a large amount of heat to produce steam. Geothermal residual heat in the form of brine can be an alternative used to extract eucalyptus oil on small scale. This study shows the material balance analysis for the cajuput oil production with 10 kg cajuput leaves per day from Sumedang and Majalengka areas using Wayang Windu geothermal power plant brine at 180.7°C with 0.05 kg/s mass flow rate. Wayang Windu geothermal power plant itself was chosen because the distance is not too far from cajuput source, which is around 99.7 km. In this study the cajuput oil extraction produces around 57.918 × 10−3 kg of cajuput oil for daily production time 100 min/day.

Evaluation study of some benzo (b) thiophene derivatives against the lysosomal protease of SAR-CoV-2

A contagious respiratory disease caused by COVID19 has spread out from China to worldwide, on 30 January 2020;World Health Organization (WHO) declared officially the COVID19 is pandemic disease. In this study, computational study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical compounds (M1 & M2) against lsysomal protease of SAR-CoV-2. The molecular docking results showed that the two molecules (M1& M2) have pretty good potential affinity to bind with preferred active site of A1 subunit of lysosomal protease of SAR-CoV-2, where the compounds (M1, M2) showed highest functional score (-12.5, -21.6 Kcal/mol) with appropriate orientation and full fitness (-1271, -1308) inside of the active site compared with Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine (-12.3, -10.5 Kcal/mol) respectively. The results of ADME toxicity profile of compounds (M1, M2) were computed and compared with Chloroquine and Hydroxy chroloquine. Table (1) showed the two molecules (M1, M2) meet the drug likeness parameters Both compounds have high Pharmacokinetics with ability to inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 with high ability to absorption in gastrointestinal (GIA), effluated in central nerve system (CNS) and brain-blood barrier permeability (BBB). Based on the computational study results, the molecules (M1 & M2) have pretty potential inhibitor candidate for Lysosomal protease of SAR-CoV-2. Two benzo (b) thiophene containing triazole moity especially 3-(3-chloro-1-benzothien-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-N-piperidine (M1) and 3-(chloro-1-benzothien-2-yl)4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-N-pyrole (M2) were synthesized and succefully characterized by FT-IR spectrum.