Potential effects of specific natural bioactive compounds in medicinal plants, essential oils and probiotics related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID 19 has caused a pandemic around the world. The rapid infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. Till now, there is no treatment available. This contribution focuses on specific phytochemicals, essential oils and probiotics against SARS-CoV-2. Different electronic scientific databases and search engines were employed. The potential effects of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and essential oils from different edible sources as well as probiotics against SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses have been reviewed. Inhibition mechanisms on SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses either experimented or predicted by molecular docking modeling software were presented. The confirmed compounds belong to the alkaloids, tannins and terpenoides bioactive classes as pedunculagin, tercatain, punicalin, punicalagin, punicalin, geraniin, chebulagic acid, punicalagin, emetine and ginkgolide A can be preventing the infection or introducing treatments against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. Lactobacillus plantarum strain N4, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415, Lactobacillus salivarius prevented the infection by trapping the coronavirus or stimulated the cellular defense by the production of nitric oxide. Utilize the rich plants with bioactive compounds or use them in the preparation of functional foods is a simple way to provide people with protection against SARS-COV-2.