Plant-Based Antivirals against COVID-19 - A Review

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed a serious threat to global health. Though vaccines and synthetic antivirals are available, the role of natural, plant-based antivirals has gained attention for their immune-boosting and antiviral effects. This review focuses on selected medicinal plants such as Tulsi, Neem, Turmeric, KarpooraValli, Vetrilai, Aloe Vera, and Vetiver, and highlights their phytochemicals, mechanisms of action, and potential as complementary therapeutic agents in viral infections.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred interest in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, which use medicinal plants known for their antiviral, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. These plants offer a holistic approach to preventing or managing viral infections, including COVID-19.

Mechanism of Action

Plant-based antivirals act through:

1. Inhibiting virus entry into host cells.

2. Blocking viral replication and enzyme activity.

3. Enhancing the immune system to combat infection.

4. Reducing inflammation, especially in the lungs.

Key Medicinal Plants and Their Actions

• Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): Inhibits viral replication; boosts immunity.

• Neem (Azadirachta indica): Prevents viral entry; strong antiviral effects.

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Anti-inflammatory; inhibits viral enzymes.

• Indian Borage (KarpooraValli): Relieves respiratory symptoms; antimicrobial.

• Betel Leaves (Vetrilai): Broad-spectrum antimicrobial; supports respiratory health.

• Aloe Vera: Stimulates immunity; anti-inflammatory.

• Vetiver: Detoxifying; supports fever reduction and immune modulation.

Recent Research Highlights

• Molecular docking studies show compounds like curcumin and neem extract bind effectively to SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

• In vitro studies confirm antiviral activity of neem and curcumin.

• Preliminary clinical trials suggest immune-boosting effects.

• AYUSH Ministry recommends herbal decoctions for immunity.

• Comparative studies support combining plant-based and synthetic antivirals.

Future Prospects and Challenges

• Need for standardized formulations and large-scale clinical trials.

• Development of nano-formulations to improve bioavailability.

• Securing regulatory approval and integrating with mainstream healthcare.

Conclusion

Plant-based antivirals offer a natural and safer approach to support conventional therapies against viral infections like COVID-19. The presence of diverse phytochemicals provides a multi-targeted effect, making these plants valuable in integrative medicine. More clinical validation is needed to translate traditional knowledge into modern therapeutic applications.

References

[1] Maurya VK, et al. (2020). Structure-based drug designing for antiviral activity of natural products. J BiomolStructDyn. [2] Dey A, Mukherjee A. (2020). Medicinal plants as potential COVID-19 therapeutics. J Ayurveda Integr Med. [3] Ministry of AYUSH. (2020). Guidelines for immunity-boosting measures. [4] Patil S, et al. (2021). Phytochemicals and COVID-19: Mechanistic insights.Int J Pharm Sci. [5] Sharma R, et al. (2021). Role of Indian medicinal plants in combating viral diseases. [6] Jahan, S., & Siddiqui, P. J. (2020). Role of medicinal plants in combating COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Journal of Research in Botany, 3(2), 10-15. [7] Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., &Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS Journal, 15(1), 195-218. https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Malarani Gunasekaran. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.