Curcuma longa Linn.: A Medicinal Plant with Therapeutic Potential against COVID-19

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 had been declared a pandemic in March 2020. The disease has caused destruction all around the world. Symptomatic treatment, supportive care, isolation and experimental measure are the most important ways to manage this disease. However, 81% of the COVID-19 patients showed mild-to-moderate symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, sore throat, loss of smell and loss of taste etc. Patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms may not need hospitalization because most of them will be able to manage their sickness at home through medication or supportive care. It will be useful to take both preventive measures and substances that boost the immunity while rest at home. Ministry of AYUSH in India recommended several approaches for preventive health care to boost immunity and respiratory health following yoga and meditation plus intake of a few medicinal-plant-based compounds such as those from turmeric (Curcuma longa), cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandrumsativum) etc., once or twice a day. C. longa has been one of the most commonly used remedy for symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic in India. Based on existing scientific evidences, C. longa has been proved to be a potent anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant source, as well as a medicinal plant effective for respiratory disorders. In this review, scientific evidence of C. longa phytochemicals responsible for pharmacological activities are presented using in silico, in vitro and in vivo models. This review also discusses the disease COVID-19 and its causative virus SARS-CoV-2.