Fitoterápicos candidatos a combater sintomas da COVID-19 e seus possíveis mecanismos de ação

Abstract

The respiratory system supplies oxygen and promotes the elimination of carbon dioxide for the maintenance of tissues and metabolic reactions. The new coronavirus (Sars-CoV 2) mainly affects the respiratory system and causes symptoms such as: fever, dry cough, muscle fatigue, sputum production, shortness of breath, throat irritation, headache, myalgia or arthralgia, chills, nausea or vomiting , nasal congestion, diarrhea, hemoptysis and conjunctival congestion. Although it has caused many deaths worldwide, there is still no effective treatment for the disease. However, other alternatives are being sought to treat the symptoms caused by the virus. The literature review of the present study aimed to identify herbal medicines with the potential to treat and / or alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19, as well as to describe its possible mechanisms of action. Seven genera of plants used for conditions that affect the respiratory system were selected: Allium sativum L.; Echinacea angustifolia D. C., Echinacea purpurea (L.) e Echinacea pallida; Eucalyptus globulus Labill. e Eucalyptus citriodora; Glycyrrhiza glabra L. e Glycyrrhiza uralensis; Illicium verum Hooker.; Justicia pectoralis Jacq.; Mikania glomerata Spreng. The properties of the species addressed demonstrate that they are plants with potential for use in the treatment of symptoms of COVID-19.