Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Herbal Therapy: Pertinent Issues Relating to Toxicity and Standardization of Phytopharmaceuticals

Usage of Natural Health Products (NHPs) for respiratory diseases: user characteristics and NHP-Consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany

BACKGROUND

Respiratory diseases (RD) can challenge healthcare systems around the globe. Natural health products (NHPs) are popular complementary and alternative medicine options for health issues concerning non-fatal RD. Little is known about the characteristics of the users of RD-NHPs and about their NHP consumption behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany.

METHODS

A representative online survey was conducted in Germany in 2022. 1707 participants were classified based on having used NHPs for RD within the previous 12 months, having used NHPs but not for RD within the previous 12 months and not having used NHPs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods as well as a multinomial logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Users of RD-NHPs within the previous 12 months were more likely to be employed and to consult pharmacists more often for non-fatal health issues than individuals who did not take RD-NHPs. RD-NHP users were more likely to suffer from a Covid-19 infection and to have children living in the same household than other NHP users. Compared to non-NHP users, RD-NHP users were more likely to be female, highly educated and have stronger openness-to-change value orientations. Vaccination-related behavior was no indicator of RD-NHP usage. Most RD-NHP users took NHPs in self-medication. Few reported informing their practitioner about their self-medication. Drugstores were the most visited supply source for NHPs during the pandemic, followed by pharmacies. Common information sources regarding NHPs were the products themselves and pharmacists.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasized the important role of NHPs as a popular prevention and treatment option for RD. RD-NHPs were more likely used by individuals who were employed, who suffered from a RD and who consult pharmacists for non-fatal health issues. The importance of product information and pharmacies as information sources should be considered to make communication strategies about safe self-medication options with RD-NHPs more effective, which could help to reduce the burden of health facilities regarding non-fatal RD. To improve and develop future pandemic-control strategies, health professionals and policy makers should consider NHP usage behavior and provide critical information about chances and risks of self-medicated NHP consumption.

Herbal concoction Unveiled: A computational analysis of phytochemicals' pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles using novel approach methodologies (NAMs)

Herbal medications have an extensive history of use in treating various diseases, attributed to their perceived efficacy and safety. Traditional medicine practitioners and contemporary healthcare providers have shown particular interest in herbal syrups, especially for respiratory illnesses associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the current understanding of the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of phytochemicals in these herbal mixtures is limited. This study presents a comprehensive computational analysis utilizing novel approach methodologies (NAMs) to investigate the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles of phytochemicals in herbal syrup, leveraging in-silico techniques and prediction tools such as PubChem, SwissADME, and Molsoft's database. Although molecular dynamics, docking, and broader system-wide analyses were not considered, future studies hold potential for further investigation in these areas. By combining drug-likeness with molecular simulation, researchers identify diverse phytochemicals suitable for complex medication development examining their pharmacokinetic-toxicological profiles in phytopharmaceutical syrup. The study focuses on herbal solutions for respiratory infections, with the goal of adding to the pool of all-natural treatments for such ailments. This research has the potential to revolutionize environmental and alternative medicine by leveraging in-silico models and innovative analytical techniques to identify novel phytochemicals with enhanced therapeutic benefits and explore network-based and systems biology approaches for a deeper understanding of their interactions with biological systems. Overall, our study offers valuable insights into the computational analysis of the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles of herbal concoction. This paves the way for advancements in environmental and alternative medicine. However, we acknowledge the need for future studies to address the aforementioned topics that were not adequately covered in this research.

Perception Towards COVID-19 Related Symptoms and Traditional Medicine Used for Their Management Among Patients and Their Attendants in Ethiopian Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Toxicological Evaluation and In Silico Identification of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in a Commercial Polyherbal Formulation (KWAPF01)

This study investigated the toxicological implications of a commercial polyherbal formulation, KWAPF01. Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomized into six groups of four animals per group. The animals in Group 1 were administered placebo and designated as control, while the rats in Groups 2 to 6 were administered 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 mg/kg bodyweight single oral dose of KWAPF01, respectively, and subsequently monitored for gross morphological and behavioural changes for 72 h. Piloerection, reduced motility, and tremor were observed in experimental groups, and the median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was 2225.94 mg/kg bodyweight. The 11 compounds identified through HPLC analysis of the extract were docked against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and the docking scores ranged from −5.3 to −10.8 kcal/mol, with catechol (−5.3 kcal/mol) and berberine (−10.8 kcal/mol) having the highest and lowest binding energies, respectively. Judging by the results, it could be inferred that some of the constituents of KWAPF01 have a direct impact on the nervous system and this is possibly elicited via the cholinergic system as it contains a nicotinic acetylcholine receptors agonist and potential inhibitors of AChE. Therefore, the use of KWAPF01 needs to be cautiously guided.

Withasomniferol C, a new potential SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor from the Withania somnifera plant proposed by in silico approaches

Exploring potent herbal medicine candidates is a promising strategy for combating a pandemic in the present global health crisis. In Ayurveda (a traditional medicine system in India), Withania somnifera (WS) is one of the most important herbs and it has been used for millennia as Rasayana (a type of juice) for its wide-ranging health benefits. WS phytocompounds display a broad spectrum of biological activities (such as antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial) modulate detoxifying enzymes, and enhance immunity. Inspired by the numerous biological actions of WS phytocompounds, the present investigation explored the potential of the WS phytocompounds against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CL^pro). We selected 11 specific withanolide compounds, such as withaphysalin, withasomniferol, and withafastuosin, through manual literature curation against 3CL^pro. A molecular similarity analysis showed their similarity with compounds that have an established inhibitory activity against the SARS-CoV-2. In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations elucidated withasomniferol C (WS11) as a potential candidate against SARS-CoV-2 3CL^pro. Additionally, the present work also presents a new method of validating docking poses using the AlteQ method.

COVID-19 Crisis, Herbal Medicines, and Natural Products - Concerns and Suggestions

: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the last days of 2019 in China, medical experts and organizations worldwide have proposed guidelines for its prevention and treatment. However, despite the availability of state-of-the-art technologies, modern medicine specialists have so far not been successful in controlling it. This has led traditional medicine experts to propagate their knowledge to prevent and cure COVID-19, creating an open debate. According to scientific literature, traditional medicine experts claim beneficial effects of herbal medicines against viral infections and their effectiveness in controlling the symptoms of respiratory disorders. Modern medicine specialists express their concerns about the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines, in addition to the risk of herb-drug interactions and the lack of randomized clinical studies. Herbal medicines have been popular since prehistoric times, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are increasingly used worldwide. The lack of definite cure and the high cost of available modern medicines have also promoted the use of herbal medicines. An evidence-based approach using herbal medicines with proven antiviral activities or containing compounds providing symptomatic relief in COVID-19 can be considered for clinical studies. The interaction of herbal medicines with modern drugs should also be considered in patients taking them. Traditional and modern medicine aim to provide effective and safe treatment and prevent COVID-19 infection. Considering the ground realities of the COVID-19 crisis and keeping in view the worldwide use of herbal medicines, in our opinion, the pros and cons of their use should be carefully weighed, and practical solutions should be considered.

Antiviral Properties of Baicalin: a Concise Review

Baicalin is one of the bioactive flavonoid glycosides isolated from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Lamiaceae, with antiviral properties. In recent years, the antiviral activity of baicalin has been widely investigated to explore its molecular mechanism of action. In this mini-review, the molecular mechanisms of action of baicalin as an antiviral agent are evaluated, which included three categories: the inhibition or stimulation of JAK/STAT, TLRs, and NF-κB pathways; up or down modulation of the expression levels of IFN, IL, SOCS1/3, PKR protein, Mx1 protein, and AP-1 protein; and inhibition of cell apoptosis caused by virus infection. In addition, clinical studies of baicalin are also discussed. This literature search suggested that baicalin can serve as a potential candidate for the development of a novel broad-spectrum antiviral drug.

Structural Diversity and Biological Potential of Alkaloids from the Genus Hippeastrum, Amaryllidaceae: an Update

The subfamily Amaryllidoideae, Amaryllidaceae, presents an exclusive group of structures known as Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, which have a broad spectrum of biological activities. These plants are classified into 59 genera, including Hippeastrum Herb., which comprises approximately 60 species distributed mainly in South America, being widely used as ornamental plants due to the beauty of its flowers. This review presents an update about the alkaloid profiling of Hippeastrum extracts published between 2012 and 2021, as well as an approach to the biological potential of these compounds.

The Role of Micronutrients to Support Immunity for COVID-19 Prevention

The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, named as SARS-CoV-2, as a global pandemic in early 2020 after the disease spread to more than 180 countries leading to tens of thousands of cases and many deaths within a couple of months. Consequently, this paper aims to summarize the evidence for the relationships between nutrition and the boosting of the immune system in the fight against the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. This review, in particular, assesses the impact of vitamin and mineral supplements on the body's defence mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2. The results revealed that there is a strong relationship between the ingestion of biological ingredients like vitamins C-E, and minerals such as zinc, and a reduction in the effects of coronavirus infection. These can be received from either nutrition rich food sources or from vitamin supplements. Furthermore, these macromolecules might have roles to play in boosting the immune response, in the healing process and the recovery time. Hence, we recommend that eating healthy foods rich in vitamins C-E with zinc and flavonoids could boost the immune system and consequently protect the body from serious infections.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Cheohen CF, Esteves MEA, Leal da Silva M, Gondim TS, Monteiro MES, Tucci AR, Fintelman-Rodrigues N, Siqueira MM, Miranda MD, Costa FN, Simas RC, Leitão GG. Flavonoids from Siparuna cristata as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Replication

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been affecting the world, causing severe pneumonia and acute respiratory syndrome, leading people to death. Therefore, the search for anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds is pivotal for public health. Natural products may present sources of bioactive compounds; among them, flavonoids are known in literature for their antiviral activity. Siparuna species are used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of colds and flu. This work describes the isolation of 3,3',4'-tri-O-methyl-quercetin, 3,7,3',4'-tetra-O-methyl-quercetin (retusin), and 3,7-di-O-methyl-kaempferol (kumatakenin) from the dichloromethane extract of leaves of Siparuna cristata (Poepp. & Endl.) A.DC., Siparunaceae, using high-speed countercurrent chromatography in addition to the investigation of their inhibitory effect against SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Retusin and kumatakenin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, with a selective index greater than lopinavir/ritonavir and chloroquine, used as control. Flavonoids and their derivatives may stand for target compounds to be tested in future clinical trials to enrich the drug arsenal against coronavirus infections.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43450-021-00162-5.

Effects of Anacardic Acid Monoene on the Respiratory System of Mice Submitted to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by viral pathogens is a worldwide public health emergency. It is suggested that patients with this condition should be screened using therapies that address the need to prevent mortality. Anacardic acids found in Anacardium species have biological activities related to the antioxidant capacity of their double bonds in the lateral alkyl chain. The present study seeks to investigate the effects of anacardic acid monoene on acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by lipopolysaccharides. Experiments were carried out on mice divided into three groups: control group, acute respiratory distress-induced group, and anacardic acid monoene pretreated group, subsequently, induced to acute respiratory distress by lipopolysaccharides. Results showed that anacardic acid moeno was able to prevent changes in lung function and preserve its mechanical properties from containing inflammatory cell infiltrate, collapse of alveoli, and decreased airway resistance, suggesting that this compound may be effective in preventing the acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by viral pathogens.