Immunity boosters in COVID-19: Reality or myth?

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to human beings. The emergence of pathogens always had been a threat as the designing and verification of treatment strategies and vaccines take time. In such a scenario, the use of strategies, formulations, or chemicals to improve immunity can provide protection, at least partially. The use of some traditional or folk medicinal preparations and other supplements derived from plants are among the most common agents used for keeping immunity tidy and tough. They are used by many with the belief that being herbal in origin these agents are safe. These formulations/preparations are regarded as “Immunity Boosters.” Revolving information and advertisements in bulk and the strategies of “the attention economy” also propagate this belief. The term “Immunity Booster” is a misnomer for these agents and is scientifically not approved. However, the benefits of these herbal formulations cannot be denied. Few of these herbal formulations have benefits in preventive and therapeutic management infections including those of SARS-CoV-2. Due to lifestyle, diet habits, deficiencies and neuropsychological stress, the immunity of a large fraction of the population is not optimal. Uncertainty and fear prevalent in the time of pandemic also negatively affect the immunity threshold. Many phytochemicals have been proven to aid in maintaining the threshold of immune response to an optimal level in subjects with compromised states of immunity. The immunomodulatory potential of these traditional herbal formulations also offers advantages when used along with standard operating procedures in COVID-19. Proposed formulations and their components also have disadvantageous effects and must be used under supervision with scientific methods. Excessive use of these agents may not only affect the organ and tissues deleteriously, but it can also invite immunopathology. Experimental verification of benefits being offered by these herbal agents will aid in their rightful exploitation in the therapy of human ailments including COVID-19.