PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR COVID-19

Abstract

The current Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reportedly posed a significant threat to the global public health institution systems. The treatment has been supportive and not effective. Coupled with the lack of vaccine interventions, the search for effective therapeutic alternatives is still on. Herbal supplements have been used in the treatment of viral diseases for years and could serve as an alternative for COVID-19 therapy if the combinations are known and tested. Recent studies have proved that certain herbal supplements have exhibited antiviral activity against similar coronaviruses. Besides, molecular docking studies further proved the efficacy of the antiviral activity of the herbal supplements against SARS-CoV-2. However, there is still a need for in-vitro and in-vivo studies of the antiviral activity of these herbal supplements against SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, these herbal supplements have a high therapeutic potential for COVID-19 therapy. This study reveals the chemical composition of herbal supplements to come up with findings that can redefine research and development, risk analysis, and containment of the novel coronavirus disease.