Spices and herbs: Potential antiviral preventives and immunity boosters during COVID-19

Bioactive constituents from Tinospora cordifolia (willd.): Isolation, synthesis and their immunomodulatory activity

Traditional medicinal plants have been used for centuries for their immunomodulatory properties and therapeutic potentials. The present study aims to investigate the immunomodulatory constituents from traditional medicinal plant, Tinospora cordifolia (willd.). Our study resulted in the isolation of new compound, 27-hydroxy octacosyl ferulate (1) along with eleven known compounds (2-12). The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by combination of NMR (1D and 2D) and Mass spectroscopic methods. The hemisynthesis of compound 12 (ferulic acid) yielded (12a-12d and 12e-12 m) derivatives. Further, the isolated compounds and synthesized derivatives were assessed for their immunomodulatory potentials by evaluating their cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effects against macrophage cells (IL-6) and DC activation markers (CD 11c and 86). The biological results indicated that crude extract displayed potent immunomodulatory activity while isolated compounds and synthetic analogues showed moderate activity. Among the tested compounds, new compound (1), quercetin (10) and derivatives 12b, 12c found to be non-cytotoxic and displayed immunomodulatory potentials. Therefore, these compounds can be studied for autoimmunity and other immune suppressing conditions.

Foreign-born nurses as COVID-19 survivors in the Nordic region: A descriptive phenomenological study

OBJECTIVE

In 2020, amid limited COVID-19 vaccination access, many nurses from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the United States of America and United Kingdom succumbed to the virus. No fatalities among Filipino foreign-born nurses (FBNs) in the BAME groups were recorded in the Nordic region. This study explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs in the Nordic region who, during the initial 2020 pandemic wave, cared for COVID-19 patients, contracted the virus and subsequently recovered.

METHODS

The research employed a descriptive phenomenological methodology to explore the experiences of six Filipino FBNs who had recovered from COVID-19 in various regions of the Nordic countries, including Finland (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), Denmark (n = 2), Norway (n = 1) and Iceland (n = 1). Data collection occurred through online videoconferencing between September 2020 and February 2021, utilising a semi-structured approach. The data analysis was conducted following Sundler and colleagues' qualitative thematic analysis, which is grounded in descriptive phenomenology.

RESULTS

The data analysis yielded three primary themes and twelve sub-themes, which explored the experiences of Filipino FBNs with COVID-19 infection. The study demonstrated that unclear national guidelines impacted nurses' preparedness in caring for COVID-19 patients, contributing to their susceptibility to contracting the virus. The lack of occupational healthcare services for nurses during and after the pandemic affected their work morale in an unfamiliar setting.

CONCLUSION

The study provided valuable insights into the experiences of Filipino FBNs during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the need for clearer guidelines, enhanced training and improved support for healthcare workers. It highlighted the psychological impact of COVID-19, emphasising the importance of mental health support and stigma reduction efforts. The study also emphasised the significance of improving occupational health services to support the well-being and recovery of healthcare workers during and after the pandemic, with implications for developing comprehensive strategies to protect frontline healthcare workers in health crises.

Role of dietary supplements in the continuous battle against COVID-19

A sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a big blow to the world community on every level. Created by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was previously unknown to the human immune system. The expert opinion almost immediately united on the fact that the most effective way of fighting the pandemic would be by building immunity artificially via a mass immunization program. However, it took about a year for the approval of the first vaccine against COVID-19. In the meantime, a big part of the general population started adapting nutritious diet plans and dietary supplements to boost natural immunity as a potential prophylactic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Whether they originate from mainstream medicine, such as synthetic supplements, or traditional herbal remedies in the form of single or poly-herbs, these supplements may comprise various components that exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial characteristics. There is a substantial body of predictions and expert opinions suggesting that enhancing one's diet with dietary supplements containing additional nutrients and bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, phytochemicals, and probiotics can enhance the immune system's ability to develop resistance against COVID-19, although none of them have any conclusive evidence nor officially recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The current review critically acclaims the gap between public perception-based preference and real evidence-based study to weigh the actual benefit of dietary supplements in relation to COVID-19 prevention and management.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Pharmacopoeia in the Evaluation and Treatment of COVID-19

The epidemic prompted by COVID-19 continues to spread, causing a great risk to the general population's safety and health. There are still no drugs capable of curing it. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are the two other diseases caused by coronaviruses. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) showed benefits in treating SARS and MERS by preventing the disease early, substantially mitigating symptoms, shortening the treatment period, and minimizing risks and adverse reactions caused by hormone therapy. Although several vaccines have been developed and are being used for the treatment of COVID-19, existing vaccines cannot provide complete protection against the virus due to the rapid evolution and mutation of the virus, as mutated viral epitopes evade the vaccine's target and decrease the efficacy of vaccines. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative options. TCM has demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of COVID-19. Previous research studies on TCM showed broad-spectrum antiviral activity, offering a range of possibilities for their potential use against COVID-19. This study shed some light on common TCM used for SARS and MERS outbreaks and their effective use for COVID-19 management. This study provides new insights into COVID-19 drug discovery.

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 NSP-15 by Uridine-5'-Monophosphate Analogues Using QSAR Modelling, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and Free Energy Landscape

SARS-CoV-2 is accountable for severe social and economic disruption around the world causing COVID-19. Non-structural protein-15 (NSP15) possesses a domain that is vital to the viral life cycle and is known as uridylate-specific endoribonuclease (EndoU). This domain binds to the uridine 5'-monophosphate (U5P) so that the protein may carry out its native activity. It is considered a vital drug target to inhibit the growth of the virus. Thus, in this current study, ML-based QSAR and virtual screening of U5P analogues targeting Nsp15 were performed to identify potential molecules against SARS-CoV-2. Screening of 816 unique U5P analogues using ML-based QSAR identified 397 compounds ranked on their predicted bioactivity (pIC50). Further, molecular docking and hydrogen bond interaction analysis resulted in the selection of the top three compounds (53309102, 57398422, and 76314921). Molecular dynamics simulation of the most promising compounds showed that two molecules 53309102 and 57398422 acted as potential binders of Nsp15. The compound was able to inhibit nsp15 activity as it was successfully bound to the active site of the nsp15 protein. This was achieved by the formation of relevant contacts with enzymatically critical amino acid residues (His235, His250, and Lys290). Principal component analysis and free energy landscape studies showed stable complex formation while MM/GBSA calculation showed lower binding energies for 53309102 (ΔGTOTAL = -29.4 kcal/mol) and 57398422 (ΔGTOTAL = -39.4 kcal/mol) compared to the control U5P (ΔGTOTAL = -18.8 kcal/mol). This study aimed to identify analogues of U5P inhibiting the NSP15 function that potentially could be used for treating COVID-19.

Perception, knowledge, and consumption pattern of dietary supplement used during COVID-19 pandemic among black Africans: Perspective of Nigerians

The awareness of the health implication of Covid-19 pandemic marked an increase consumption of various dietary and herbal supplements (DHS) for the deterrence and/or prophylaxis against the novel emerging and infectious disease. However, there is little indication of the usefulness or otherwise of their use in alleviating symptoms of COVID-19.

Objectives

To investigate the pattern and determinants of DHS use among the Nigerian population for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Design

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Setting: Older adolescents and adults residing in Nigeria.

Participants

Participants (n = 645) residing in the Nigeria were recruited from different geo-political zones and various ethnic groups.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Prevalence and determinants for the use of different DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and sources of information for DHS use.

Results

Most participants (425, 65.9%) believed that dietary supplements are necessary during infectious disease outbreak, but a fewer proportion believed that supplements can be used in conjunction with other drugs to treat Covid-19. Vitamin C was the most known (70.0%) and Vitamin A. The least known (0.3%) dietary supplement Approximately half (50.2%) of the study subjects, more than a third (37.8%) and less than a quarter (22.7%) were aware that Folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E are DS. Herbal dietary supplements mentioned as known by the study participants included Garlic (46.5%), Ginger (44.7%), Tumeric (36.3%), Moringa (40.0%) and Ginseng (26.3%). Citrus fruit as a DS was recognized by fewer (6.5%) study participants and only 1.6% referred to herbal tea as DHS. In all, 571 (88.5%) of the study participants took DHS during the Covid-19 pandemic with males 1.5 times more likely to take DHS than females (χ2 = 3.09, P-value = 0.08, OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.95, 2.47) during the pandemic. Participants reported lesser consumption of Selenium (27, 4.2%), Iron (20,3.1%), Zinc (61, 9.5%) and calcium (101, 15.7%) to prevent/treat Covid-19. Majority (271, 42.0%) of the study participants mentioned "health worker" as source of information on DHS while 13% mentioned "Social media". The sociodemographic determinants of DHS practices used to prevent/treat COVID-19 during the pandemic included older age group of 61-70 years, widows, secondary level of education and not employed.

Conclusions

The findings showed widespread use of DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The use of DHS in this study was mainly guided by health workers with a marginal role of social media and Mass media. These findings call for a more robust consolidative tactic towards DHS to ensure its proper and safe use.

Investigating the Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Immunity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Twitter Text-Mining Analysis

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the spotlight the critical role played by a balanced and healthy diet in bolstering the human immune system. There is burgeoning interest in nutrition-related information on social media platforms like Twitter. There is a critical need to assess and understand public opinion, attitudes, and sentiments toward nutrition-related information shared on Twitter.

OBJECTIVE

This study uses text mining to analyze nutrition-related messages on Twitter to identify and analyze how the general public perceives various food groups and diets for improving immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

METHODS

We gathered 71,178 nutrition-related tweets that were posted between January 01, 2020, and September 30, 2020. The Correlated Explanation text mining algorithm was used to identify frequently discussed topics that users mentioned as contributing to immunity building against SARS-CoV-2. We assessed the relative importance of these topics and performed a sentiment analysis. We also qualitatively examined the tweets to gain a closer understanding of nutrition-related topics and food groups.

RESULTS

Text-mining yielded 10 topics that users discussed frequently on Twitter, viz proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy-related, spices and herbs, fluids, supplements, avoidable foods, and specialty diets. Supplements were the most frequently discussed topic (23,913/71,178, 33.6%) with a higher proportion (20,935/23,913, 87.75%) exhibiting a positive sentiment with a score of 0.41. Consuming fluids (17,685/71,178, 24.85%) and fruits (14,807/71,178, 20.80%) were the second and third most frequent topics with favorable, positive sentiments. Spices and herbs (8719/71,178, 12.25%) and avoidable foods (8619/71,178, 12.11%) were also frequently discussed. Negative sentiments were observed for a higher proportion of avoidable foods (7627/8619, 84.31%) with a sentiment score of -0.39.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified 10 important food groups and associated sentiments that users discussed as a means to improve immunity. Our findings can help dieticians and nutritionists to frame appropriate interventions and diet programs.

COVID-19 vaccination willingness in peri-urban Tanzanian communities: Towards contextualising and moving beyond the individual perspective

With only 5.1% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Tanzania has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world and after two years of changing policies regarding the disease, the country struggles to get its vaccination campaign on the rails. In this study, we identify the determinants of COVID-19 vaccination willingness in two villages of the Mvomero district in Eastern Tanzania. Based on survey data, we performed univariate analyses to assess differences in vaccination intention for various social groups, and built a four-dimensional multivariate ordered logistic regression model that comprises respondents' personal and socioeconomic characteristics, the channels through which they get their information, their attitudes and perceptions towards COVID-19, and their social network embeddedness. Only 37.0% of the respondents indicated that they would be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination willingness differed significantly according to gender, age, educational attainment and religion; with men, the elderly, people with post-secondary education and Catholics and Muslims more likely to accept a vaccine. Predictors of vaccination willingness were gender, age, social media and informal contacts as information sources, perceived effectiveness of the vaccine and of alternative medicine, fear of side effects, a general dislike of vaccines, and the proportion of vaccinated people and the highest value of trust in international organisations in one's network. Although people's attitudes and perceptions have the largest share of the explanatory value, our model shows that all four of our model's building blocks were imperative in explaining vaccination willingness. Therefore, our paper presents a compelling case for the inclusion of respondents' social embeddedness as a common dimension for exploratory models of vaccination willingness.

Neurological damages in COVID-19 patients: Mechanisms and preventive interventions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which led to neurological damage and increased mortality worldwide in its second and third waves. It is associated with systemic inflammation, myocardial infarction, neurological illness including ischemic strokes (e.g., cardiac and cerebral ischemia), and even death through multi-organ failure. At the early stage, the virus infects the lung epithelial cells and is slowly transmitted to the other organs including the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, kidneys, heart, and brain. The neurological effect of the virus is mainly due to hypoxia-driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) and generated cytokine storm. Internalization of SARS-CoV-2 triggers ROS production and modulation of the immunological cascade which ultimately initiates the hypercoagulable state and vascular thrombosis. Suppression of immunological machinery and inhibition of ROS play an important role in neurological disturbances. So, COVID-19 associated damage to the central nervous system, patients need special care to prevent multi-organ failure at later stages of disease progression. Here in this review, we are selectively discussing these issues and possible antioxidant-based prevention therapies for COVID-19-associated neurological damage that leads to multi-organ failure.

Antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry essential oil with identification of its chemical constituents

Aromatic plants embrace volatile compounds with efficiency in treating different diseases. In Jordan, Syzygium aromaticum flower buds (clove) are extensively used as folk medicine without awareness of its bio-safe dosage. Herein, clove buds were hydrodistilled using the Clevenger apparatus, and the resulting essential oil (CEO) was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against tested bacterial strains by agar diffusion test and micro-broth dilution assay. The antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging assay, while the cytotoxic potency was unraveled by determination of its anti-proliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma and normal Vero cell lines. CEO yield was 5.7 ± 1.3% (w/w); encompassed 24 volatile ingredients with eugenol as the principal compound (73.41%). The CEO inhibited the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial test strains, causing the formation of 13.7 ± 1.5-17.3 ± 0.6 mm and 11.7 ± 1.5-20.7 ± 1.2 mm inhibition zones, respectively with MIC 1.25-5 μL/mL. Moreover, it showed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ 0.0016 ± 0.0001 μL/mL (1.6 ± 0.1 μg/mL, 2.98 ± 0.4 µg Trolox^®/µg CEO). Intriguingly, the CEO was cytotoxic against both cancerous and noncancerous cell lines at IC₅₀ of 0.25 ± 0.02 μL/mL and 0.18 ± 0.01 μL/mL, respectively. Herein results unveil the potential application of CEO as a pharmaceutical remedy with considering its bio-safe dosage.

A systematic review on impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Innumerable pathogens including RNA viruses have catastrophic pandemic propensity, in turn, SARS-CoV-2 infection is highly contagious. Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with high mutation rate additionally codifies infectious ability of virus and arisen clinical imputations to human health. Although, our knowledge of mechanism of virus infection and its impact on host system has been substantially demystified, uncertainties about the emergence of virus are still not fully understood. To date, there are no potentially curative drugs are identified against the viral infection. Even though, drugs are repurposed in the initial period of infection, many are significantly negative in clinical trials. Moreover, the infection is dependent on organ status, co-morbid conditions, variant of virus and geographic region. This review article aims to comprehensively describe the SARS-CoV-2 infection and the impacts in the host cellular system. This review also briefly provides an overview of genome, proteome and metabolome associated risk to infection and the advancement of therapeutics in SARS-CoV-2 infection management.

Exploration of potent antiviral phytomedicines from Lauraceae family plants against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, also known as RdRp, is a possible therapeutic target that could be used to suppress the proliferation of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. This protein has two major functional sites (a) catalytic and (b) substrate entry, which regulate the natural substrate entry and its corresponding interaction with the protein. In this study, a computational drug design pipeline was applied to investigate potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp from Lauraceae plants, and five top hits were selected based on the docked score (< -7 kcal/mol). The docking study suggested that the Glochidioboside had a minimum binding score of -7.8 kcal/mol. This compound showed total five hydrogen bonds while two of them were with catalytic residues Asp618 and Asp760. However, another compound, Sitogluside showed a binding score of -7.3 kcal/mol with four hydrogen bonds targeting three functional residues (Arg555, Ser759, and Asp760). Later, 100 ns explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to evaluate the stability of the protein-ligand docked system. These compounds translocated their positions from the catalytic site to the substrate entry site, as observed in the MD simulation trajectory. However, translocation did not affect the binding strength of these compounds, and they retained the strong binding affinity (ΔG < -11.5 kcal/mol), estimated using the MM/GBSA method. In general, the findings of this study indicated the potential therapeutic compounds that may be used targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. However, these compounds still need to be validated by experimentation in order to determine their inhibitory function.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Herbal Supplements as Treatment Options for COVID-19: A call for Clinical Development of Herbal Supplements for Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Threats in Sub-Saharan Africa

The advent of Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) distorted health systems of many countries. Efforts have been made to either develop new treatment solutions such as vaccines or repurpose previously adopted drugs. Challenges in accessing available treatment, inadequate, non-existent, or overstretched healthcare facilities, long COVID disease, cultural practices and beliefs about vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, availability, accessibility and perceived safety of herbal supplements seem to be major factors propelling individuals to use herbal supplements. Published reports advocating for clinical development of herbal supplements for COVID-19 and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are sparse. This paper aims to review the pathogenesis of COVID-19, use of herbal products during the pandemic and make case for clinical development of herbal supplements through the adoption of modern and acceptable technologies and research processes.

This was a scoping review. Database searches of Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate among others were performed using related keywords to identify relevant journals and lists of primary articles. Clinical trial databases:-Clinicaltrial.gov, Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) and WHO international clinical trial registry (ICTRP) were reviewed to extract data.

The use of herbal supplements during COVID-19 was not only peculiar to individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa, but a global practice. Herbal supplements recommended to manage COVID-19 have not been validated using clinical trials. Available data showed that the number of herbal supplements undergoing clinical trial for COVID-19 indication in Africa was low.

The availability of medicinal plants in Sub-Saharan Africa if well explored has great potentials to address various emerging and re-emerging viral diseases confronting the region. The economic potential of clinically validated herbal supplements are huge, and tapping into this opportunity created by preference of population to herbal supplement could increase export of herbal supplement and gross domestic product (GDP) of respective countries in Africa.

Bio-guided chemical characterization and nano-formulation studies of selected edible volatile oils with potentials antibacterial and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities

The recent pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has opened the door to potential threats of the respiratory system. The discovery of drugs from natural sources is one of the most important strategies for treating the upper respiratory tract. In this study, we investigated the selected formulated EOs activities against Gram-negative (E. coli, K. pneumonia, and P. aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (S. aureus, E. fecalis) bacteria and against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the mode of action investigated as anti-SARS-CoV-2. Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Syzygium aromaticum EOs were the most promising antibacterial oils. C. zeylanicum EO showed MIC values of 1, 1, 2, ≤0.5, and 8 µg/mL against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. fecalis, respectively, while S. aromaticum EO showed MIC values of 8, 4, 32, 8, 32 µg/mL against the same organisms. The cytotoxic activity of the oil samples was tested in VERO-E6 cells using (MTT) assay and showed that the safest oil was F. vulgare, then L. nobilis, C. carvi, S. aromaticum, and E. globulus. The most potent antiviral EOs were C. zeylanicum oil and S. aromaticum, with IC₅₀ value of 15.16 and 96.5 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the safety index of S. aromaticum EO (26.3) was greater than the oil of C. zeylanicum (7.25). The mechanism by which C. zeylanicum oil exerts its antiviral activity may involve both the virucidal effect and its impact on viral reproduction. The nano-emulsion dosage form of the potent EOs was prepared and re-examined against the same bacterial and viral strains. Finally, the chemical characterization of these promising essential oils was analyzed and identified using the GC-MS approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the in vitro investigation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of these selected essential oils, along with a proposed mechanism for the potent oil's activity.

Investigation of supplement products preferred by healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic process

Objective: Various products are used to strengthen immunity in prevention and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the whole world, which has no cure yet, and the vaccine has just been used. This study was planned to learn about the supplements used by healthcare professionals. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to the physicians, nurses, technicians, secretaries, and staff working in the operating room, intensive care, ward, and outpatient clinic by e-mail, WhatsApp, or face-to-face interview method. Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of being COVID-19-positive. The most used products were primarily Mg and vitamin D, and vitamin C, ginger, Zn, turmeric, green tea, vitamin complex, thyme, black elderberry (sambucus nigra), propolis, prebiotic/probiotic, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), black cumin (niger sativa), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), selenium (Se), Coenzyme-Q10, cinnamon, glutathione (GSH) and quercetin respectively. No one had used alpha lipoic acid (ALA). The products that showed significant differences between the groups with and without COVID-19 were vitamin C, prebiotic/probiotic, propolis and ASA. Conclusıon: Since it is not asked when the product is used, although it is not possible to evaluate its effectiveness for preventive or therapeutic purposes, known to be natural, inexpensive, and easily accessible antiviral products may be preferred.

Spices and Biomarkers of COVID-19: A Mechanistic and Therapeutic Perspective

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people around the world have increased their healthy behaviors to prevent transmission of the virus and potentially improve their immune systems. Therefore, the role of diet and food compounds such as spices with bioactive and antiviral properties may be important in these efforts. In this chapter, we review the efficacy of spices such as turmeric (curcumin), cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, saffron, capsaicin, and cumin by investigating the effects of these compounds of COVID-19 disease severity biomarkers.

Use of home remedies for the treatment and prevention of coronavirus disease: An integrative review

Background and Aims

Home remedies are understood to mean medications or tonics prepared at home to treat certain ailments without any prescription or professional supervision. Reliance on home remedies increased during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this integrative review was to identify home remedies used to treat and prevent COVID-19 and discuss implications for nursing practice and health related to the safety and efficacy of home remedies.

Methods

Cooper's integrative review method guided this study to identify home remedies used to prevent and treat COVID-19. Google Scholar, BMC, EBSCOhost, Medline, Academic Search Ultimate, Web of Science Core Collections, Science Direct and Global Health were used to search for relevant information on the use of COVID-19 home remedies from 2019 to 2022. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist was used to select studies that had to be included. The eligibility criteria included studies on home remedies, written in English from 2019 to 2022. Findings of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research were extracted, and narrative thematic data synthesis was applied.

Results

Eleven articles which met the inclusion criteria were found in nine countries: Ghana (1), South Africa (1), Tanzania (1), Togo (1) and Zimbabwe (1), Bangladesh (1), Hong Kong (1), India (2), Iran (1), and Pakistan (1). Findings showed that home remedies are used for the prevention of COVID-19 infection, treatment of COVID-19, and boosting immunity.

Conclusions

Home remedies have been found to be more pronounced across all sectors and social strata. More research is needed on the use of home remedies for life-threatening outbreaks. Policymakers and healthcare workers are challenged to encourage the use of home remedies in the prevention of other ailments and epidemics that might occur in the future.

Plant Spices as a Source of Antimicrobial Synergic Molecules to Treat Bacterial and Viral Co-Infections

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the lack of antiviral agents available for human use, while the complexity of the physiological changes caused by coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) imposed the prescription of multidrug pharmacotherapy to treat infected patients. In a significant number of cases, it was necessary to add antibiotics to the prescription to decrease the risk of co-infections, preventing the worsening of the patient's condition. However, the precautionary use of antibiotics corroborated to increase bacterial resistance. Since the development of vaccines for COVID-19, the pandemic scenario has changed, but the development of new antiviral drugs is still a major challenge. Research for new drugs with synergistic activity against virus and resistant bacteria can produce drug leads to be used in the treatment of mild cases of COVID-19 and to fight other viruses and new viral diseases. Following the repurposing approach, plant spices have been searched for antiviral lead compounds, since the toxic effects of plants that are traditionally consumed are already known, speeding up the drug discovery process. The need for effective drugs in the context of viral diseases is discussed in this review, with special focus on plant-based spices with antiviral and antibiotic activity. The activity of plants against resistant bacteria, the diversity of the components present in plant extracts and the synergistic interaction of these metabolites and industrialized antibiotics are discussed, with the aim of contributing to the development of antiviral and antibiotic drugs. A literature search was performed in electronic databases such as Science Direct; SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online); LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences); Elsevier, SpringerLink; and Google Scholar, using the descriptors: antiviral plants, antibacterial plants, coronavirus treatment, morbidities and COVID-19, bacterial resistance, resistant antibiotics, hospital-acquired infections, spices of plant origin, coronaviruses and foods, spices with antiviral effect, drug prescriptions and COVID-19, and plant synergism. Articles published in English in the period from 2020 to 2022 and relevant to the topic were used as the main inclusion criteria.

Phenolic compounds versus SARS-CoV-2: An update on the main findings against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains an international concern. Although there are drugs to fight it, new natural alternatives such as polyphenols are essential due to their antioxidant activity and high antiviral potential. In this context, this review reports the main findings on the effect of phenolic compounds (PCs) against SARS-CoV-2 virus. First, the proven activity of PCs against different human viruses is briefly detailed, which serves as a starting point to study their anti-COVID-19 potential. SARS-CoV-2 targets (its proteins) are defined. Findings from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies of a wide variety of phenolic compounds are shown, emphasizing their mechanism of action, which is fundamental for drug design. Furthermore, clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of PCs in the prevention and as a possible therapeutic management against COVID-19. The results were complemented with information on the influence of polyphenols in strengthening/modulating the immune system. It is recommended to investigate compounds such as vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, triterpenes and fatty acids, and their synergistic use with PCs, many of which have been successful against SARS-CoV-2. Based on findings on other viruses, synergistic evaluation of PCs with accepted drugs against COVID-19 is also suggested. Other recommendations and limitations are also shown, which is useful for professionals involved in the development of efficient, safe and low-cost therapeutic strategies based on plant matrices rich in PCs. To the authors' knowledge, this manuscript is the first to evaluate the relationship between the antiviral and immunomodulatory (including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects) activity of PCs and their underlying mechanisms in relation to the fight against COVID-19. It is also of interest for the general population to be informed about the importance of consuming foods rich in bioactive compounds for their health benefits.

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Phenolic compounds are known for their high potential against various human viruses.

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Phenolic compounds also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.

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Medicinal plants used against COVID-19 are rich in phenolic compounds.

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Phenolic compounds interfere with the activity of SARS-CoV-2 proteins.

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A wide variety of food products with high polyphenolic content are presented.

Effect of natural products use prior to infection with COVID-19 on disease severity and hospitalization: A self-reported cross-sectional survey study

Background: Managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using available resources is essential to reduce the health burden of disease. The severity of COVID-19 is affected by nutritional status. In this study the effect of natural product use prior to infection with COVID-19 on disease severity and hospitalization was explored.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Between March and July 2021, a self-administered survey was conducted in Jordan. Individuals who recovered from COVID-19 and were ≥18 years old were the study population. Study measures included the use of natural products, COVID-19 severity, and hospitalization status. A multivariate regression model was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean age (mean ± SD) of the study sample (n=2,148) was 40.25 ± 15.58 years old. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the regular intake of carnation (OR [0.56], CI [0.37–0.85]), onion (OR [0.69], CI [0.52–0.92]), lemon (OR [0.68], CI [0.51–0.90]), and citrus fruits (OR [0.66], CI [0.50–0.89]) before infection were associated with a substantial reduction in COVID-19 severity (P<0.01). Also, the consumption of carnation (OR [0.55], CI [0.34–0.88]), lemon (OR [0.57], CI [0.42–0.78]), and citrus fruits (OR [0.61], CI [0.44–0.84]) were associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of COVID-19-induced hospitalization (P<0.01).

Conclusions: Regular consumption of carnation, lemon, and citrus fruits before infection was associated with better outcomes for COVID-19. Studies on other populations are required to confirm these findings.

Consumption of Herbal Supplements or Homeopathic Remedies to Prevent COVID-19 and Intention of Vaccination for COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean

Users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have a lower intention to receive vaccines. Furthermore, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region are among the most affected areas by the COVID-19 pandemics and present a high proportion of CAM users. Therefore, this study evaluates the association between the consumption of herbal supplements or homeopathic remedies to prevent COVID-19 and the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the LAC region. We conducted a secondary data analysis of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) survey with Facebook to assess COVID-19 beliefs, behaviours, and norms. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using generalized linear models of the Poisson family with the log link function. The prevalence of the use of products to prevent COVID-19 was the following: consumption of herbal supplements (7.2%), use of homeopathic remedies (4.8%), and consumption of garlic, ginger, and lemon (11.8%). An association was found between using herbal supplements (19.0% vs. 12.8%; aPR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.30–1.58), the use of homeopathic remedies (20.3% vs. 12.3%; aPR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.25–1.98), and the consumption of garlic, ginger, and lemon (18.9% vs. 11.9%; aPR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.50–1.61) and non-intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. In the LAC population, there is an association between using herbal supplements, using homeopathic remedies and consuming garlic, ginger, and lemon to prevent infection by COVID-19 and non-intention to vaccinate against this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to design targeted strategies for groups that consume these products as preventive measures against COVID-19 to increase vaccination coverage and expand the information regarding transmission and prevention strategies for SARS-CoV-2.

Indian spices: past, present and future challenges as the engine for bio-enhancement of drugs: impact of COVID-19

Spices are natural plant products enriched with the history of being used as herbal medicine for prevention of diseases. India is also known as the 'Land of Spices'. Out of 109 spices recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) more than 52-60 spice crops are grown in India. The major spices exported by India are turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, peppers, etc. The Indian spices are divided into three era viz. early period, middle age and early modern period. Spices are used in beverages, liquors, and pharmaceutical, cosmetic and perfumery products. The major issue with spices is their handling and storage. This review article mainly focuses on two aspects: at the outset the handling and storage of the spices is an essential factor as spices are available in different forms like raw, processed, fresh, whole dried, or pre-ground dried. Therefore, the need of processing, packaging, storage and handling of the spices is important as the deterioration of spices can lead to the loss of therapeutic activity. Furthermore, many herbal constituents have the capability to enhance the bioavailability of drugs. Therefore, an attempt has been made to throw a light on the bioenhancer activity and therapeutic activity along with their mechanism of action of some Indian spices which are regularly used for cooking purpose on a daily basis to enhance the taste of food. The spices suggested by ministry of AYUSH which is relevant to its medicinal and biological property in treatment and prevention from COVID-19 are discussed. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Design and various in silico studies of the novel curcumin derivatives as potential candidates against COVID-19 -associated main enzymes

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading severe acute respiratory syndrome in patients. Although various antiviral drugs and their combinations have been tried so far against SARS-CoV-2 and they have shown some effectiveness, there is still a need for safe and cost-effective binding inhibitors in the fight against COVID-19. Therefore, phytochemicals in nature can be a quick solution due to their wide therapeutic spectrum and strong antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this context, the low toxicity, and high pharmacokinetic properties of curcumin, which is a natural phytochemical, as well as the easy synthesizing of its derivatives reveal the need for investigation of its various derivatives as inhibitors against coronaviruses. The present study focused on curcumin derivatives with reliable ADME profile and high molecular binding potency to different SARS-CoV-2 target enzymes (3CLPro, PLpro, NSP7/8/12, NSP7/8/12 +RNA, NSP15, NSP16, Spike, Spike+ACE). In the molecular docking studies, the best binding scores for the 22 proposed curcumin derivatives were obtained for the PLpro protein. Furthermore, MD simulations were performed for high-affinity ligand-PLpro protein complexes and subsequently, Lys157, Glu161, Asp164, Arg166, Glu167, Met208, Pro247, Pro248, Tyr264, Tyr273 and Asp302 residues of PLpro was determined to play key role for ligand binding by Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) analysis. The results of the study promise that the proposed curcumin derivatives can be potent inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and be converted into pharmaceutical drugs. It is also expected that the findings may provide guiding insights to future design studies for synthesizing different antiviral derivatives of phytochemicals.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immune boosting food consumption and overall dietary pattern among selected Indian adults: An observational study

Background

/Objectives: The rise of the pandemic of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has upset the diet and lifestyle of individuals. This study was designed to highlight the choices of individuals across different ages to quantify food consumption using the Food Consumption Score, to assess changes, if any, that were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the factors that affected these changes. It also assessed the consumption of immune -boosting foods, including spices and gooseberries, taken as a preventive measure against the virus.

Methods

An online survey in a questionnaire format was used in this study to collect information from adults aged 18 to 55 (categorized into young and middle-aged adults) across India. The Food Consumption Score, a tool validated by the World Food Programme, was used to assess frequencies of food consumption per food group.

Results

The study revealed that young adults had higher Food Consumption Scores than their middle-aged counterparts during the two time points, pre COVID-19 (55.25 & 32, p = 0.001) and during COVID-19 (57.25 & 32, p=<0.001). The pandemic also led to a tangible rise in the consumption of various foods known for their immune-boosting abilities such as spices, gooseberries, and Neem.

Conclusion

The findings of the study indicate an increase in awareness with respect to dietary habits, specifically in terms of consumption of immune boosting foods observed during the COVID-19 pandemic across the age groups.

Home-Based Remedies to Prevent COVID-19-Associated Risk of Infection, Admission, Severe Disease, and Death: A Nested Case-Control Study

Objective

This study aimed at determining the various types of home-based remedies, mode of administration, prevalence of use, and their relevance in reducing the risk of infection, hospital admission, severe disease, and death.

Methods

The study design is an open cohort of all participants who presented for testing for COVID-19 at the Infectious Disease Treatment Centre (Tamale) and were followed up for a period of six weeks. A nested case-control study was designed. Numerical data were analysed using STATA version 14, and qualitative data were thematically analysed.

Results

A total of 882 participants made up of 358 (40.6%) cases and 524 (59.4%) unmatched controls took part in the study. The prevalence of usage of home-based remedies to prevent COVID-19 was 29.6% (n = 261). These include drinks (34.1% (n = 100)), changes in eating habits/food (33.8% (n = 99)), physical exercise (18.8% (n = 55)), steam inhalation (9.9% (n = 29)), herbal baths (2.7% (n = 8)), and gurgle (0.7 (n = 2)). Participants who practiced any form of home-based therapy were protected from SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.28 (0.20-0.39)), severe/critical COVID-19 (OR = 0.15 (0.05-0.48)), hospital admission (OR = 0.15 (0.06-0.38)), and death (OR = 0.31 (0.07-1.38)). Analysis of the various subgroups of the home-based therapies, however, demonstrated that not all the home-based remedies were effective. Steam inhalation and herbal baths were associated with 26.6 (95% CI = 6.10-116.24) and 2.7 (95% CI = 0.49-14.78) times increased risk of infection, respectively. However, change in diet (AOR = 0.01 (0.00-0.13)) and physical exercise (AOR = 0.02 (0.00-0.26)) remained significantly associated with a reduced risk of infection. We described results of thematic content analysis regarding the common ingredients in the drinks, diets, and other home-based methods administered.

Conclusion

Almost a third of persons presenting for COVID-19 test were involved in some form of home-based remedy to prevent COVID-19. Steam inhalation and herbal baths increased risk of COVID-19 infection, while physical exercise and dietary changes were protective against COVID-19 infection and hospital admission. Future protocols might consider inclusion of physical activity and dietary changes based on demonstrated health gains.

The effects of curcumin as dietary supplement for patients with COVID-19: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Accumulating evidence has been reported regarding the effect of curcumin as a dietary antiviral on patients with COVID-19; however, findings are controversial. Our systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin in patients with COVID-19. Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched to identify only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed curcumin in patients with COVID-19 from inception to September 23, 2021 relevant keywords. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to evaluate the risk of bias. After a critical review of 1,098 search hits, only six RCTs were selected for discussion. A total of 480 patients were included, with 240 amongst the curcumin groups and 240 in the control group. The lymphocyte count was significantly higher in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group. Curcumin was found to decrease the number of T-helper 17 cells, downregulate T-helper-17 cell-related factors, reduce levels of T-helper-17 cell-related cytokines, yet increase the gene expression of Treg transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), and decrease T-Box transcription factor 21 (TBX21). Our review revealed that curcumin might have a positive effect on relieving COVID-19 related inflammatory response due to its powerful immune-modulatory effects on cytokines production, T-cell responses, and gene expression. These findings suggest that curcumin confers clinical benefits in patients with COVID-19. However, due to the limited number of the included studies, further high-quality studies are needed to establish the clinical efficacy of the curcumin.

Inflawell® improves neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and shortens hospitalization in patients with moderate COVID-19, in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Aims

COVID-19 is a significant global threat to public health. Despite the availability of vaccines and anti-viral drugs, there is an urgent need for alternative treatments to help prevent and/or manage COVID-19 symptoms and the underlying dysregulated immune response. We hypothesized that administration of Inflawell^® syrup, a Boswellia extract formulation enriched for boswellic acids (BAs), can reduce the excessive or persistent inflammation and thereby prevent disease progression. BAs are medicinally activated triterpenoids found in the resins of Boswellia spp., and possess an immense therapeutic potential due to their anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities. We investigated the effect of Inflawell^® syrup, on moderate COVID-19 patients along with the current standard of care treatment.

Methods

A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial was conducted, following definitive confirmation of COVID-19. Forty-seven hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 were enrolled and received either the Inflawell^® syrup or placebo. Clinical symptoms and markers of inflammation were evaluated at baseline and completion of the trial.

Results

Our clinical trial revealed an increase in the percentage of oxygen saturation level in patients that received the BAs compared to placebo (P < 0.0001). In addition, the average duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the BAs group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.04). Concomitantly, some improvement in the clinical symptoms including cough, dyspnea, myalgia, headache, and olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were detected in the BAs group. Hematologic findings showed a significant decrease in the percentage of neutrophils (P < 0.006) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels (P < 0.003), associated with a significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes in the BAs group compared with the placebo (P < 0.002). Additionally, a significant decrease in CRP, LDH, IL − 6 and TNF − α levels was detected in the BAs group. Following the intervention, fewer patients in the BAs group were PCR-positive for COVID-19 compared to placebo, though not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Overall, the treatment with Inflawell^® resulted in shorter hospital stay, alleviation of COVID-19 clinical symptoms and decline in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Trial registration

The trial has been registered in https://www.irct.ir with unique identifier: IRCT20170315033086N10 (https://en.irct.ir/trial/51631). IRCT is a primary registry in the WHO registry network (https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registry-platform/network/primary-registries).

How South African Families Protected Themselves during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’—‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ (COVID-19)—in Wuhan City, the People’s Republic of China on 31 December 2019. To curb the spread of the virus, various containment measures were introduced. However, no study has explored how families protected themselves during the pandemic. Therefore, this study explored how families protected themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic using a qualitative exploratory design. Thirty-one adult participants, representing families in the Western Cape province of South Africa, were virtually interviewed. The sampling approach was both convenient and snowball. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that families followed and adapted to the mainstream protection measures as implemented by the South African government but in addition believed that adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions would protect them from contracting the virus. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders should support families in making it easier to protect themselves during the current and future pandemic(s).

Natural immunity boosters as therapeutic interventions in the era of COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19, a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 has been spread all over the world and is responsible for serious fatalities. SARS-CoV2 is included in the family of β-coronavirus that affects pulmonary gas exchange and triggers cytokines storm. Vigorous inflammation, hyper-coagulation, a decrease in lymphocytic count and an increase in neutrophilic count are observed in the second week after the onset of disease. Fever, dry cough, sneezing, shortness of breath and respiratory distress are the symptoms of COVID-19. Different preventive measures are taken to prevent the attack of coronavirus amongst social distancing, vaccination, wearing gloves and face masks and the use of sanitizers plays pivotal role. People with weak immunity are more susceptible to the attack of coronavirus. Various natural immunity boosters are known for their immune boosting properties among them are vitamin C, D, and B complex, medicinal mushrooms, plant-based stuff and minerals play important role by increasing the beneficial flora of human body. All these natural immunity boosters improve the innate and adaptive immune response against coronavirus. Hence, we conclude that the use of natural immunity boosters prevents the attack of coronavirus and make a person stronger against the suspected attack of COVID-19 and/or other viral diseases.

COVID-19 and Panax ginseng: Targeting platelet aggregation, thrombosis and the coagulation pathway

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only targets the respiratory system but also triggers a cytokine storm and a series of complications, such as gastrointestinal problems, acute kidney injury, and myocardial ischemia. The use of natural products has been utilized to ease the symptoms of COVID-19, and in some cases, to strengthen the immune system against COVID-19. Natural products are readily available and have been regularly consumed for various health benefits. COVID-19 has been reported to be associated with the risk of thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. These thrombotic complications often affects mortality and morbidity. Panax ginseng, which has been widely consumed for its various health benefits has also been reported for its therapeutic effects against cardiovascular disease, thrombosis and platelet aggregation. In this review, we propose that P. ginseng can be consumed as a supplementation against the various associated complications of COVID-19, especially against thrombosis. We utilized the network pharmacology approach to validate the potential therapeutic properties of P. ginseng against COVID-19 mediated thrombosis, the coagulation pathway and platelet aggregation. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the roles of P. ginseng against COVID-19 with the involvement of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in relation to immunity-related responses in COVID-19.

Potential Immunomodulatory Properties of Biologically Active Components of Spices Against SARS-CoV-2 and Pan β-Coronaviruses

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced COVID-19 has emerged as a defining global health crisis in current times. Data from the World Health Organization shows demographic variations in COVID-19 severity and lethality. Diet may play a significant role in providing beneficial host cell factors contributing to immunity against deadly SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Spices are essential components of the diet that possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. Hyperinflammation, an aberrant systemic inflammation associated with pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and multiorgan dysfunction, is a major clinical outcome in COVID-19. Knowing the beneficial properties of spices, we hypothesize that spice-derived bioactive components can modulate host immune responses to provide protective immunity in COVID-19. This study emphasizes that biologically active components of spices might alleviate the sustained pro-inflammatory condition by inhibiting the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins (IL6, IL8), and chemokine (CCL2) known to be elevated in COVID-19. Spices may potentially prevent the tissue damage induced by oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current study also highlights the effects of spices on the antioxidant pathways mediated by Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and Hmox1 (heme oxygenase 1) to restore oxidative homeostasis and protect from aberrant tissue damage. Taken together, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of bioactive components of spices may hold a promise to target the cellular pathways for developing antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 and pan β-coronaviruses.

Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility

The current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is enormously affecting the worldwide health and economy. In the wait for an effective global immunization, the development of a specific therapeutic protocol to treat COVID-19 patients is clearly necessary as a short-term solution of the problem. Drug repurposing and herbal medicine represent two of the most explored strategies for an anti-COVID-19 drug discovery. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) is a well-known culinary spice that has been used for centuries in folk medicine in many disorders. Interestingly, traditional medicines have used clove since ancient times to treat respiratory ailments, whilst clove ingredients show antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Other interesting features are the clove antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects. Thus, in this review, we discuss the potential role of clove in the frame of anti-COVID-19 therapy, focusing on the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects of clove and its molecular constituents described in the scientific literature.