Plants used in Ayurveda for Jwara or fever: A review of their antiviral studies

Two of the earliest treatises in Ayurveda, the ‘Charaka Samhita’ and the ‘Sushruta Samhita’, describe numerous medicinal plants used in the treatment of Jwara (fever). Systematic studies carried out on these plants registered for ‘Jwara’ are of high significance in antiviral drug development.

This article is a comprehensive review of the antiviral studies on medicinal plants listed for ‘Jwara’ in ‘Charaka-Sushruta Samhitas’, their antiviral entities and modes of action.

The botanical names of the medicinal plants used for ‘Jwara’ were elucidated from their Sanskrit names in ‘Charaka-Sushruta Samhitas’ and their subsequent interpretations. Antiviral studies on these plant species and their constituents were compiled from the literature retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and other databases. Antiviral activities against various viruses were evaluated based on EC₅₀/IC₅₀/LC₅₀ values, high percent inhibitions and molecular docking parameters displayed by their extracts, secondary metabolites, short peptides, polyphenols, anthocyanins and polysaccharides. Their modes of action were also evaluated.

Strikingly, in antiviral studies very low EC₅₀/IC₅₀/LC₅₀ and high percent inhibitions were demonstrated by medicinal plants widely used as traditional medicines, vegetables, foods and flavours. Secondary metabolites (including essential oils), anthocyanins, polyphenols, short peptides and polysaccharides in these plants illustrated antiviral activities by hampering membrane permeability, cellular functions and replication cycle of harmful viruses.

Medicinal plants used for fever in Ayurveda could be used as natural sources of lead molecules for antiviral drug development. Antiviral activities displayed by these plants are justifying the ancient wisdom traditionally demonstrated over centuries.