Indian medicinal plants are effective in the treatment and management of COVID-19

Abstract

Indian medicinal plants are referred to as the “nectar of life” owing to their phytochemicals and bioactive complexes that are beneficial in treating diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health issue without any proper medication. The indigenous plants of India can be exploited to control the precise signs of SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has advised routine usage of medicinal plants for COVID-19. Medicinal plants like Zingiber officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, etc. have immunity-boosting, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions that can suppress and treat symptoms of COVID-19. In vitro, in vivo as well as in silico validation, these phytochemicals can help us to manage and treat COVID-19 disease. This integration of traditional knowledge in the prophylaxis of corona infection and current skills validating it for the development of precise and powerful therapeutic approaches will more efficiently resolve different clinical aspects of COVID-19. The review focuses on both traditional and emergent methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 with various Indian medicinal plants along with their phytochemicals.