Prophylactic potential of Indian medicinal plants in the management of influenza like illness especially COVID-19 Parikh Prafulla1, Kumar Satyanshu2,*, Banerjee Tuhina3, Kode Jyoti14, Zunjar Vishwanath5, Singh Raghuraj2, Nagar P.S.6, Patel Jinal2 1Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai-410210, Maharashtra, India 2ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi, Anand-387310, Gujarat, India 3Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India 4Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Trombay, Mumbai-400094, Maharashtra, India 5School of Engineering and Technology, Navrachana University, Vadodara-391410, Gujarat, India 6Botany Department Faculty of Science, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002, Gujarat, India *Corresponding author e-mail: satyanshu66@gmail.com
Online published on 15 October, 2020. Abstract Influenza viruses are one of the main causes of respiratory tract diseases. There is a need to identify novel natural occurring antiviral molecules due to the startling emergence of resistance to anti-influenza drugs. Several hundred plants have been investigated as potential source of antiviral agents. Phytochemicals from these plants have exhibited antiviral properties either by inhibiting the formation of viral DNA or RNA or inhibiting the activity of viral replication. Influenza viruses and COVID-19 have a similar disease profile collectively known as influenza like illnesses. Prophylactic potential and antiinfluenza properties of phytochemicals from twenty one medicinal plants have been briefly described in the present review. These medicinal plants could be used as a part of safe treatment as well as economically viable strategy for the management of infections against influenza like illness during endemic times. Top Keywords Antiviral, Combination therapy, Synergistic effect, Phytochemicals. Top |