Antiviral and immuno-boosting potential of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) Kumar Narendra1*, Shala Awad Y.2**, Khurana S.M. Paul1*** 1Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Manesar-122413, Gurgaon, Haryana, India 2TWAS-DBT Post-Doctoral Fellow from Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research DepartmentHorticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt *Email id: narendra.microbiology@rediffmail.com
**awad.shala@yahoo.com
**smpaulkhurana@gmail.com
Online published on 25 June, 2021. Abstract Now-a-days, the novel coronavirus pandemic has projected millions of deaths around the globe. An effective popular medicinal plant identified during this pandemic is Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, locally called Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng. The antiviral activity of this plant is well established in the fight against serious virus infections. This review mainly focuses on the antiviral and immuno-booster efficacy of the plant for combating various virus diseases. The bioactive principles of the plant, withanaloids, has been effectively used for human health. W. somnifera has distinct effects on the viral RBD (receptor-binding domain) and host ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor complex. This may be useful in curing COVID-19 and other virus infection because of its tremendous immuno boosting properties. Top Keywords Indian ginseng, Antiviral, Anticancer, Withanolides, Withaferin A, Immune booster. Top |