SARS-COV-2 Analytical Review: Its Biology, Immunology And Exploration Of Medicinal Plants As An Alternative Management Strategy

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world with countless lives being lost and others devastated, economies destroyed, healthcare protocols overhauled while patients and healthcare workers are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress. SARS-Co-2 causes a viral infection that is highly infectious and vast in its transmission making its containment practically impossible. The biology, life cycle and pathogenesis of SARS-Co-2 virus is not clearly understood. There is no specific drug for COVID-19. Therapeutic approaches have been suggested such as nucleoside analogs like Remdesivir, anti-inflammatory drugs or Lopinavir/Ritonavir to treat COVID-19 but their clinical usefulness against COVID-19 infection remains unclear. Therefore, this review was designed to document the nature of SARS-Cov-2 virus, its structure, life cycle and pathogenicity and also to identify major medicinal plants with anticovid properties. Materials and methods: We searched PUB MED, MEDLINE and Google Scholar with several key words namely medicinal plants, herbal plants, antiviral properties, SARS-Cov-2, immunomodulatory, phytochemicals, and combating COVID for recent articles related to COVID-19, life sciences and biomedical topics in the world. For us to cure COVID-19 infections and prevent epidemics; there is need to develop new therapeutic strategies. Several strategies have been devised by scientists and other innovators to address the issue of COVID-19 based on its different dynamics. Results: This paper has documented the nature of SARS-Cov-2 virus and reviewed major herbs and medicinal plants specifically Moringa oleifera, Allium cepa L., Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Nigella sativa , Ocimum sanctum, PiperNigrum L., Astragalus membranaceus, Cinchona and Sambucus nigra for their therapeutic potential against COVID-19 and associated infections. Conclusion: This review notes that medicinal plants have several active compounds that act differently on various viruses including SARS-CoV-2; hence they are potential source of therapeutic agents in combating COVID-19.

Key words: Antiviral, COVID-19, immunomodulatory, Medicinal Plants, herbs