Role of mushrooms as a novel antiviral agents–lesson learnt from SARS-COV-2 infection

Abstract

Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, producing the disease COVID-19 is a virus that aim at mostly the human respiratory system and other organs. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel strain that has not been earlier recognized in human beings, however, there have been earlier outbreaks of various versions of the coronavirus including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV1) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) which have been acclaimed as major pathogens that are an immense warning to public health and world-wide economies. Presently, no exact cure for SARS-CoV-2 infection has been recognized; however, certain medicines have shown noticeable effectiveness in viral inhibition of the disease. Natural substances such as herbs and mushrooms have earlier established immense antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the potential of natural substances as effectual treatments against COVID-19 may seem hopeful. One of the would-be candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be different types of mushrooms many of these are widely used as a raw material in various medical conditions. In this overview, we have evaluated mushrooms which are natural products with many biological activities in terms of the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. Keywords: Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2, Herbs, Mushrooms, Antiviral agents, COVID-19 Infection antiviral sources, Pneumonia.