scholarly journals Repurposing of the Herbals as Immune-Boosters in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Rinki Kumari ◽  
Anita Venaik ◽  
Md Al Hasibuzzaman ◽  
Simon Agongo Azure ◽  
Rudra P. Ojha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Centella Asiatica ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Crocus Sativus ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ocimum Sanctum ◽  
High Morbidity

Coronavirus disease (COVID) is highly contagious, and negligence of it causes high morbidity and mortality globally. The highly infectious viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was abbreviated as COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) by World Health Organization first time on February 11, 2020, and later on, WHO declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic on 11/3/2020. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that the SARS CoV-2 infects the overall population, irrespective of age, gender, or ethnic variation, but it was observed in clinical studies that older and compromised immunity population is much more prone to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 majorly spread through aeration route in droplet form on sneezing and coughing, or by contact when touching eyes, nose or mouth with the infected hands or any other organs, resulting from mild to severe range of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This literature-based review was done by searching the relevant SCI and SCOPUS papers on the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, herbal formulation, and Ayurveda from the databases, Academia, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate. The present review attempts to recognize the therapeutic strategies to combat COVID-19 because of the current human risk. Indian system of medicine, including herbals, has immense potential in treating and managing various viral infections and provides evidence to utilize Ayurvedic medication to improve immunity. Cumulative research findings suggest that Ayurvedic formulations and herbal immunomodulators (Tino sporacordifolia, Withania somnifera, Crocus sativus, Zafran, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Albizia lebbek, Terminalia chebula, Piper longum, Mangifera indica, Ocimum sanctum, Centella asiatica ) are promising in the treatment of outrageous viral infections without exerting adverse effects. Considering the ancient wisdom of knowledge, the herbal formulations would compel healthcare policymakers to endorse Ayurveda formulations to control the COVID-19 pandemic significantly.

scholarly journals Antiviral Effects of Hydroxychloroquine and Type I Interferon on In Vitro Fatal Feline Coronavirus Infection

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Takano ◽  
Kumi Satoh ◽  
Tomoyoshi Doki ◽  
Taishi Tanabe ◽  
Tsutomu Hohdatsu
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Type I ◽  
Feline Infectious Peritonitis ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease with a high morbidity and mortality by the FIP virus (FIPV, virulent feline coronavirus). Several antiviral drugs for FIP have been identified, but many of these are expensive and not available in veterinary medicine. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug approved by several countries to treat malaria and immune-mediated diseases in humans, and its antiviral effects on other viral infections (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus) have been confirmed. We investigated whether HCQ in association with interferon-ω (IFN-ω) is effective for FIPV in vitro. A total of 100 μM of HCQ significantly inhibited the replication of types I and II FIPV. Interestingly, the combination of 100 μM of HCQ and 104 U/mL of recombinant feline IFN-ω (rfIFN-ω, veterinary registered drug) increased its antiviral activity against type I FIPV infection. Our study suggested that HCQ and rfIFN-ω are applicable for treatment of FIP. Further clinical studies are needed to verify the combination of HCQ and rIFN-ω will be effective and safe treatment for cats with FIP.

scholarly journals ANTI-ULCER AGENTS: A PHARMACOLOGICAL UPDATE OF THE PAST TEN YEARS

2019 ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
SUDIP KUMAR MANDAL ◽  
SUBHOJIT DAWN ◽  
ANINDYA BOSE
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Proton Pump Inhibitors ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Mangifera Indica ◽  
Aloe Vera ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Ocimum Sanctum ◽  
Cell Hyperplasia ◽  
The Past

New anti-ulcer substances are still vitally necessary for the people of countries such as India and South Africa to avoid high cost of the most prescribed marketed anti-ulcer drugs (proton-pump inhibitors). New candidate against gastric ulcer is also necessary to avoid the potential problem (enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia may be induced) associated with the long-term use of synthetic proton-pump inhibitors. However, the search for the novel entity against ulceration is challenging because of the complexity of the ulcer process and its role in host defense to infections. Nature is the source of remedies for the humankind. Among the different biological activities of the natural products that have been published till date, anti-ulcer is one of the most reported effects. Some single natural products such as curcumin, 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, cinnamic acid, thymol, epoxycarvone, and menthol; single synthetic products such as, 4,6-diaryl-3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones, 1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives, and dihydropyrimidinone and piperidine hybrids; plant products such as Aloe vera, Mangifera indica, Zingiber officinale, Azadirachta indica, Psidium guava, Carica papaya, Panax ginseng, Terminalia chebula, Ocimum sanctum, Daucus carota, and Mimosa pudica, Alpinia galangal; nutraceuticals such as garlic, cauliflower, banana, honey, cucumber, and cod liver oil with anti-ulcer effects have been discussed in this review. A complete review of literature was conducted using different databases on ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This review is a genuine attempt to explore the past 10 years’ pharmacological update of some anti-ulcer agents.

scholarly journals A Review on Efficacy of Siddha Medicinal Herbs as Antiviral Drugs against COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Muralidass S D ◽  
Shree Devi M S
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tinospora Cordifolia ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Ocimum Sanctum

In a very short time, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become a global pandemic. It has infected about 29,155,581 patients and brought forth death rate about 926,544 among 216 countries as recorded by World Health Organization on 15th September 2020. At present, there is no specific and direct treatment or vaccine for this infectious disease. No therapeutic options available to cure the infection in till date which increases the mortality rate across the countries. Currently there is no antiviral treatments have been approved, several approaches have been proposed in western medicine, Chinese medicine, CAM, AYUSH and other systems. Siddha Herbal medicines are achieving high attention because of the extensive therapeutics like potent anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India recommended 12 Siddha herbals (Inji – Zingiber officinale, Thulasi – Ocimum sanctum, Milaku – Piper nigrum, Karunjeeragam – Nigella sativa, Keezhanelli – Phyllanthus niruri, Adhimathuram – Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vellaippoondu – Allium sativum, Citramutti – Sida cardifolia, Seenthil – Tinospora cordifolia, Manjal – Curcuma longa, Elumitchai – Citrus lemon and Vembu – Azadirachta indica) for the prevention by enhancing immunity as well as for the management of this infectious disease in its recent official publication ‘Guidelines for Siddha Practitioners for COVID 19’. This is the common advisory and the anti-viral activity of these herbals against COVID 19 is not established yet. The current situation demands proper herbal drug utilization to prepare the population immunity to fight against the infection. The present review spotlight on the literature review and the review of pharmacological actions of these herbals.

The Diagnosis of Viral Disease by Electron Microscopy

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 270-273
Author(s):  
William B. McCombs ◽  
Cameron E. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Academic Interest ◽  
The Past

Recent years have brought a reversal in the attitude of the medical profession toward the diagnosis of viral infections. Identification of bacterial pathogens was formerly thought to be faster than identification of viral pathogens. Viral identification was dismissed as being of academic interest or for confirming the presence of an epidemic, because the patient would recover or die before this could be accomplished. In the past 10 years, the goal of virologists has been to present the clinician with a viral identification in a matter of hours. This fast diagnosis has the potential for shortening the patient's hospital stay and preventing the administering of toxic and/or expensive antibiotics of no benefit to the patient.

Acute and Sub-acute Oral Toxicity Assessment of a Standardized Polyherbal Preparation POL-6 in Rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-216
Author(s):  
Lalit Sharma ◽  
Aditi Sharma ◽  
Girdhari L. Gupta ◽  
Gopal Singh Bisht
Keyword(s):  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Centella Asiatica ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Ocimum Sanctum ◽  
Oral Toxicity ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Hematobiochemical Parameters

Background: A standardized polyherbal preparation (POL-6) containing six plant extracts Hypericum perforatum, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum and Camellia sinesis have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile of POL-6 through acute and subacute oral toxicity models in Wistar rats. Methods: In acute safety evaluation, a single dose of 2000mg/kg of POL-6 was given orally to five rats and was observed for 14 days. In subacute safety evaluation POL-6 at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg was given orally to the rats once a day for 28 days. The animals were observed for the signs of toxicity and mortality during the study period. Results: In acute toxicity evaluation, POL-6 treatment did not show any toxic signs and mortality in animals during the observation period. In subacute toxicity studies, no changes were seen in any of the dose levels of POL-6 treatment during the total body weights, organ weights and hematobiochemical parameters examination of the rats. No lesions were seen during the gross/histopathological examination. Conclusion: The study revealed that administration of POL-6 for 28 days showed no significant treatment generated toxic effects in the animals, hence it can be considered as non-toxic if it is ingested in a time not greater than a month.

scholarly journals Multimorbidity clusters in patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases in the EpiChron Cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonás Carmona-Pírez ◽  
Beatriz Poblador-Plou ◽  
Ignatios Ioakeim-Skoufa ◽  
Francisca González-Rubio ◽  
Luis Andrés Gimeno-Feliú ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Airway Diseases ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Obstructive Airway Diseases

AbstractChronic obstructive airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are amongst the most common treatable and preventable chronic conditions with high morbidity burden and mortality risk. We aimed to explore the existence of multimorbidity clusters in patients with such diseases and to estimate their prevalence and impact on mortality. We conducted an observational retrospective study in the EpiChron Cohort (Aragon, Spain), selecting all patients with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and/or OSA. The study population was stratified by age (i.e., 15–44, 45–64, and ≥ 65 years) and gender. We performed cluster analysis, including all chronic conditions recorded in primary care electronic health records and hospital discharge reports. More than 75% of the patients had multimorbidity (co-existence of two or more chronic conditions). We identified associations of dermatologic diseases with musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety, cardiometabolic diseases with mental health problems, and substance use disorders with neurologic diseases and neoplasms, amongst others. The number and complexity of the multimorbidity clusters increased with age in both genders. The cluster with the highest likelihood of mortality was identified in men aged 45 to 64 years and included associations between substance use disorder, neurologic conditions, and cancer. Large-scale epidemiological studies like ours could be useful when planning healthcare interventions targeting patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases and multimorbidity.

scholarly journals Innate Immunity in Children and the Role of ACE2 Expression in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-382
Author(s):  
Mario Dioguardi ◽  
Angela Pia Cazzolla ◽  
Claudia Arena ◽  
Diego Sovereto ◽  
Giorgia Apollonia Caloro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Bibliographic Search ◽  
Meta Analyses

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an emerging viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which leads to severe respiratory infections in humans. The first reports came in December 2019 from the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. It was immediately clear that children developed a milder disease than adults. The reasons for the milder course of the disease were attributed to several factors: innate immunity, difference in ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II) receptor expression, and previous infections with other common coronaviruses (CovH). This literature review aims to summarize aspects of innate immunity by focusing on the role of ACE2 expression and viral infections in children in modulating the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles deemed potentially eligible were considered, including those dealing with COVID-19 in children and providing more up-to-date and significant data in terms of epidemiology, prognosis, course, and symptoms, focusing on the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease in children. The bibliographic search was conducted using the search engines PubMed and Scopus. The following search terms were entered in PubMed and Scopus: COVID-19 AND ACE2 AND Children; COVID-19 AND Immunity innate AND children. The search identified 857 records, and 18 studies were applicable based on inclusion and exclusion criteria that addressed the issues of COVID-19 concerning the role of ACE2 expression in children. The scientific literature agrees that children develop milder COVID-19 disease than adults. Milder symptomatology could be attributed to innate immunity or previous CovH virus infections, while it is not yet fully understood how the differential expression of ACE2 in children could contribute to milder disease.

scholarly journals A standardized polyherbal preparation POL-6 diminishes alcohol withdrawal anxiety by regulating Gabra1, Gabra2, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalit Sharma ◽  
Aditi Sharma ◽  
Ashutosh Kumar Dash ◽  
Gopal Singh Bisht ◽  
Girdhari Lal Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Alcohol Withdrawal ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Centella Asiatica ◽  
Ethanol Withdrawal ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Ocimum Sanctum ◽  
Behavioral Parameters ◽  
Gene Expression Studies

Abstract Background Alcohol abuse is a major problem worldwide and it affects people’s health and economy. There is a relapse in alcohol intake due to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal anxiety-like behavior is a symptom that appears 6–24 h after the last alcohol ingestion. Methods The present study was designed to explore the protective effect of a standardized polyherbal preparation POL-6 in ethanol withdrawal anxiety in Wistar rats. POL-6 was prepared by mixing the dried extracts of six plants Bacopa monnieri, Hypericum perforatum, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Camellia sinesis, and Ocimum sanctum in the proportion 2:1:2:2:1:2 respectively. POL-6 was subjected to phytochemical profiling through LC-MS, HPLC, and HPTLC. The effect of POL-6 on alcohol withdrawal anxiety was tested using a two-bottle choice drinking paradigm model giving animals’ free choice between alcohol and water for 15 days. Alcohol was withdrawn on the 16th day and POL-6 (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg, oral), diazepam (2 mg/kg) treatment was given on the withdrawal days. Behavioral parameters were tested using EPM and LDT. On the 18th day blood was collected from the retro-orbital sinus of the rats and alcohol markers ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT were studied. At end of the study, animals were sacrificed and the brain was isolated for exploring the influences of POL-6 on the mRNA expression of GABAA receptor subunits in the amygdala and hippocampus. Results Phytochemical profiling showed that POL-6 contains major phytoconstituents like withaferin A, quercetin, catechin, rutin, caeffic acid, and β-sitosterol. In-vivo studies showed that POL-6 possesses an antianxiety effect in alcohol withdrawal. Gene expression studies on the isolated brain tissues showed that POL-6 normalizes the GABAergic transmission in the amygdala and hippocampus of the rats. Conclusion The study concludes that POL-6 may have therapeutic potential for treating ethanol-type dependence.

scholarly journals Melatonin and Cancer: A Polyhedral Network Where the Source Matters

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Maria-Angeles Bonmati-Carrion ◽  
Antonia Tomas-Loba
Keyword(s):  
Night Shift ◽  
Intrinsic Factor ◽  
Antitumor Agent ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
World Health ◽  
Light At Night ◽  
Cancer Hallmarks ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

Melatonin is one of the most phylogenetically conserved signals in biology. Although its original function was probably related to its antioxidant capacity, this indoleamine has been “adopted” by multicellular organisms as the “darkness signal” when secreted in a circadian manner and is acutely suppressed by light at night by the pineal gland. However, melatonin is also produced by other tissues, which constitute its extrapineal sources. Apart from its undisputed chronobiotic function, melatonin exerts antioxidant, immunomodulatory, pro-apoptotic, antiproliferative, and anti-angiogenic effects, with all these properties making it a powerful antitumor agent. Indeed, this activity has been demonstrated to be mediated by interfering with various cancer hallmarks, and different epidemiological studies have also linked light at night (melatonin suppression) with a higher incidence of different types of cancer. In 2007, the World Health Organization classified night shift work as a probable carcinogen due to circadian disruption, where melatonin plays a central role. Our aim is to review, from a global perspective, the role of melatonin both from pineal and extrapineal origin, as well as their possible interplay, as an intrinsic factor in the incidence, development, and progression of cancer. Particular emphasis will be placed not only on those mechanisms related to melatonin’s antioxidant nature but also on the recently described novel roles of melatonin in microbiota and epigenetic regulation.

scholarly journals Occupational health risk among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: actions to limit the risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Casper
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Very High

AbstractThe World Health Organization declared coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic in March 2020. The infection with coronavirus started in Wuhan city, China, in December 2019. As of October 2020, the disease was reported in 235 countries. The coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. As of February 2021, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally is 102,942,987 and 2,232,233 deaths according to WHO report. This infection is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) β-coronavirus. The infection is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets.Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an essential role at the front lines, providing care for patients infected with this highly transmittable disease. They are exposed to very high occupational health risk as they frequently contact the infective persons. In order to limit the number of infected cases and deaths among healthcare workers, it is crucial to have better awareness, optimistic attitude, efficient PPE, and adequate health practices about COVID-19.

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