SARS-CoV-2, Virology and Pathogenicity and phytomedicinal immunomodulators to curb covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The new coronavirus, COVID-19 has sent the world into a medical and economic crisis and if not contained can cause unprecedented damage to the human population.COVID-19 is a new pathogen and a new coronavirus that poses a global threat to healthcare system worldwide and has already devoured many lives in different parts of the world. Till date, there is no specific vaccine or effective antiviral therapy against COVID-19 disease. The only way to prevent oneself is to maintain social distancing, maintain proper hygiene and simultaneously enhance the individual’s immune response by incorporating immune boosters in daily diet, as health supplements and prophylaxis. Phytotherapy (herbalism) means usage of plants or herbs as medication to treat or prevent diseases and has a lot of potential. This phytomedicinal therapeutic approach proves to be cheaper and safer alternative and reduce the incidence of drug resistance and may modulate the immune system in preventing viral diseases. This traditional therapy has less side effects and bestow a general good health. It may suppress viral replication and reduce the clinical signs of viral diseases and can be promoted as immunomodulator. COVID 19 has been shown to engage the host cell ACE2 through its spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) and natural phytochemical from plants have distinct effects on viral RBD and host ACE2 receptor complex. The present paper aims to present a comprehensive study of certain medicinal herbs to increase the immune potential and a promising option in the fore-front in healing COVID-19 ailments, concurrent with ICMR prescribed allopathic treatments.