An overview on medicinal plants used for combating coronavirus: Current potentials and challenges

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Pharmacology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• The Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic poses significant global health and economic challenges.
• Limited treatment options and slow drug discovery present major hurdles in combating COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of potential SARS-CoV-2 drug targets for drug design.
• To summarize anti-COVID-19 medicinal plants and phytocompounds, including their mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of identified SARS-CoV-2 drug targets.
• Compilation and analysis of studies on medicinal plants and phytocompounds with anti-COVID-19 activity.

Main Results:

• Identified key SARS-CoV-2 targets including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), proteases (PLpro, 3CLpro), TMPRSS2, ACE2, and structural/virulence proteins.
• Cataloged various medicinal plants and phytocompounds demonstrating potential therapeutic effects against SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

• Drug design targeting identified SARS-CoV-2 proteins is a critical area for therapeutic development.
• Medicinal plants and phytocompounds offer promising avenues for novel anti-COVID-19 drug discovery and treatment strategies.