Ayurvedic formulations: Potential COVID-19 therapeutics?

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Limited treatment options for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) exist, with Molnupiravir and Paxlovid recently approved in some regions.
• Ayurvedic medicine has a history of using herbal extracts for respiratory ailments with minimal side effects.
• Current research is exploring Ayurvedic formulations as potential COVID-19 treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing research on Ayurvedic formulations for COVID-19 treatment.
• To present the current state of knowledge by integrating findings from various study types.
• To identify commonly used formulations and their therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a literature search for in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.
• Focused on Ayurvedic formulations investigated for COVID-19 treatment.
• Integrated information across all study systems to synthesize current knowledge.

Main Results:

• 20 in silico studies examined phytoconstituent interactions with SARS-CoV-2.
• 5 preclinical studies investigated the ability of formulations to inhibit viral functions.
• 51 clinical trials were completed, with data from 17 showing shorter recovery periods for COVID-19 patients using Ayurvedic treatments.

Conclusions:

• Commonly used Ayurvedic treatments may possess prophylactic and/or therapeutic properties for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Further investigation into synergistic effects and antiviral activities of individual phytoconstituents is recommended.
• Assessing combinations of phytoconstituents in Ayurvedic treatments is of particular interest.