Exploring the Impact of Herbal Therapies on COVID-19 and Influenza: Investigating Novel Delivery Mechanisms for Emerging Interventions

Synthetic antivirals and corticosteroids have been used to treat both influenza and the SARS-CoV-2 disease named COVID-19. However, these medications are not always effective, produce several adverse effects, and are associated with high costs. Medicinal plants and their constituents act on several...

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Published in:Biologics (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-07, Vol.3 (3), p.158-186
Main Authors: Fornari Laurindo, Lucas, Taynara Marton, Ledyane, Minniti, Giulia, Dogani Rodrigues, Victória, Buzinaro Suzuki, Rodrigo, Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Virgínia, Joshi, Rakesh Kumar, Barbalho, Sandra Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
antiviral
Antiviral agents
Asymptomatic
Bioactive compounds
Bioavailability
Clinical trials
Corticosteroids
COVID-19
delivery systems
Disease transmission
Flavonoids
Genomes
Herbal medicine
Infections
Influenza
Lungs
Medicinal plants
Nanoparticles
Pandemics
Proteins
Respiratory diseases
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Side effects
Viral infections
Viruses
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Summary:Synthetic antivirals and corticosteroids have been used to treat both influenza and the SARS-CoV-2 disease named COVID-19. However, these medications are not always effective, produce several adverse effects, and are associated with high costs. Medicinal plants and their constituents act on several different targets and signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of influenza and COVID-19. This study aimed to perform a review to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants on influenza and COVID-19, and to investigate the potential delivery systems for new antiviral therapies. EMBASE, PubMed, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and COCHRANE databases were searched. The studies included in this review showed that medicinal plants, in different formulations, can help to decrease viral spread and the time until full recovery. Plants reduced the incidence of acute respiratory syndromes and the symptom scores of the illnesses. Moreover, plants are related to few adverse effects and have low costs. In addition to their significance as natural antiviral agents, medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds may exhibit low bioavailability. This highlights the need for alternative delivery systems, such as metal nanoparticles, which can effectively transport these compounds to infected tissues.
ISSN:2673-8449
2673-8449
DOI:10.3390/biologics3030009