COVID-19

Coronavirus is a term that everyone has become very familiar with post-2019. The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A vast majority of people with Covid-19 experience no to mild symptoms. However, those with co-morbidities and those of an older generation can experience severe symptoms and can need acute care. These symptoms often affect the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing. This virus commonly spreads through the air, via droplets of fluid between people at close contact.

Covid-19 is still around and transmission of this virus between people is still occurring and there is no definite, efficient, and consolidated remedy for COVID-19 infections.

Can Herbal Medicine help?

In herbal medicine, one herb/plant can contain numerous different phytochemical constituents, which all together or isolated individually possess a potential therapeutic value. Since the beginning of Covid-19 and the lack of a definitive ‘cure’ for the infection, researchers and human beings from all over the world have been looking at effective ways to moderate the symptoms and prevent the spread of infection, as well as kill the virus.

There has been interest in using traditional herbal medicine for Covid-19 primarily in the countries of Asia. Therefore, research has been carried out on herbs commonly used in Ayurveda and Chinese herbal medicine (TCM).

Research has found that Phytochemical constituents found in plants, like tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenols, have been shown to fight harmful microorganisms. They work by blocking viral enzymes and proteins, which prevent viruses from entering, replicating and spreading in the body’s cells. As a result, many studies have suggested that herbal compounds may help reduce the risk of or manage infections like Covid-19.

Below is a brief list of some of the herbs which have been researched against Covid-19.

 Traditional Chinese Herbal medicine herbs:

• Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal skullcap) – This popular TCM herb contains a constituent called Baicalin. Baicalin, has shown potential in helping fight COVID-19 in several ways. First, it may block the virus’s spike protein from attaching to human cells, preventing the virus from entering and starting an infection. Baicalin also appears to inhibit the virus’s ability to replicate inside the body, reducing its spread. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the harmful inflammation often seen in COVID-19 patients, while its antioxidant effects protect cells from damage. On top of that, baicalin might support the immune system in responding more effectively to the virus. Although early studies are promising, more research is needed to fully confirm how effective baicalin could be in treating or preventing COVID-19.

• Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen pi/ tangerine peel) – This citrus fruit peel contains high amounts of flavonoids, essential oils, and antioxidants. These constituents have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. One flavonoid in particular Hesperetin, has been researched due to its therapeutic potential. Certain studies have suggested that Hesperetin exerts an anti-viral activity via the interference of the viral life cycle. Furthermore, due to this constituent being a flavonoid it has antioxidant properties, which helps in reducing oxidative stress and neutralising free radicals; these actions protect the body’s cells from damage caused by the infection and the body’s own immune response. Furthermore, flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory action, which helps to reduce excessive inflammation in the body, which can be caused by Covid-19, this potentially leads to the alleviation of severe symptoms. Finally, Hesperetin has been shown to boost the body’s immune response via increasing the activity of immune cells and helping the prevention of and recovery from Covid-19

• Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) – Fungal bioactive constituents, such as polysaccharides and terpenes have been shown to potentially possess anti-viral actions. Lucidenic acid A is a triterpenoid, and research has shown that this constituent has the potential to enhance the immune system and by modulating the immune response, it could potentially reduce complications like cytokine storms, which can cause organ damage and worsen the severity of Covid-19. It also has a potential anti-viral activity, via inhibiting the replication of viruses and interfering with viral enzymes or disrupting the viral life cycle and this prevents the virus spreading throughout the body.

 Ayurvedic Herbs:

Piper nigrum (Black pepper) - Black pepper contains an Alkaloid known as Piperine. Piperine has been shown to increase the bioavailability of curcumin, a constituent found in Turmeric, which has been shown to be effective in reducing the effects of Covid-19. Therefore, enhancing the absorption of Curcumin is one beneficial role of Piper nigrum. Piperine has also been shown to inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Black pepper also may aid in controlling the immune system’s overreaction via reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. This gives the herb an anti-inflammatory effect and will potentially help to reduce the symptoms caused by the inflammation caused by Covid-19.

Zingiber officinale (Ginger) - Ginger contains a Phenol, known as Gingerol. This constituent has been researched for its potential to help with Covid-19. Gingerol, a compound in ginger, might help fight COVID-19 by blocking a key enzyme called PLpro. This enzyme is important for the virus to multiply and therefore if Gingerol stops PLpro from working, it could help reduce the virus's ability to replicate. Gingerol also reduces inflammation, which is a huge problem in cases of Covid-19, as the body overreacts with too many inflammatory molecules, and these can damage tissues and organs. Gingerol reduces the inflammation via the blocking of certain pathways in the immune system (Such as NF-kB; nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) which would usually trigger inflammation.

Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) - Cloves are rich in essential oil, the main essential oil being Eugenol. Eugenol is believed to regulate the cellular inflammatory cascades, including the NF-κB and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways, and the release of proinflammatory interleukins. This means that again Cloves are great at reducing inflammation and preventing inflammatory cascades, which will help in reducing the inflammation in the body and potentially reducing the severity of Covid-19. Furthermore, Eugenol has been shown to exert potential anti-viral properties.

 In conclusion:

Overall, herbs and their specific constituents are showing potential in helping to reduce infection and the symptoms of Covid-19. There is a correlation of spices, mushrooms and herbs high in flavonoids and essential oils and the demonstration of anti-viral and anti-inflammatory actions. There needs to be further research conducted into the potential action of the above herbs and many others for the management of Covid-19 before a conclusion is made. However, research is showing a progressive value of herbal medicine in the prevention and management of Covid-19. Therefore, herbal medicine could be a beneficial self-administered way to help keep up the body’s natural defences.

 References:

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Derosa, G., Maffioli, P. and Sahebkar, A. (2016) ‘Piperine and Its Role in Chronic Diseases’, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Cham, Springer International Publishing, pp. 173–184 [Online]. Available at https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_8 (Accessed 14 November 2024).

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Su, Y.-C., Huang, G.-J. and Lin, J.-G. (2022) ‘Chinese herbal prescriptions for COVID-19 management: Special reference to Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101)’, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers Media, vol. 13 [Online]. Available at https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.928106 (Accessed 14 November 2024).

Vicidomini, C., Roviello, V. and Roviello, G. N. (2021) ‘Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility’, Molecules, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 1880–1880 [Online]. Available at https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071880 (Accessed 14 November 2024).

World (2020) Coronavirus [Online]. Available at https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1 (Accessed 14 November 2024).