Potential Antiviral Medicinal Plants against Novel SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Outbreak

Considering the significant worldwide threat of the Novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is urgently needed to develop efficient prevention and treatment approaches in order to reduce the prevalence rate and mortality of the disease. Even though numerous experimental and clinical studies have been currently conducted for development of drug and vaccine througout the world, and some partially effective vaccines and chemical drugs have been developed against COVID19. Herbal and dietary plants, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, cereals, and edible tubers/roots, can play a significant role in enhanging the immune system and how to increase our defense barriers against virus-related diseases. Accordingly, medicinal plants with a wide range of bioactive compounds, which exhibit remarkable antiviral activities, can be used as a preventive treatment and cure for COVID-19. In order to combat SARS-CoV-2, rockrose (Cistus spp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), licorice root (Glyrrhiza glabra L.), olive leaf (Olea europea L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), basil (Ocimum bacilicum L.), sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and different species of thyme (Origanum, Thymus and Thymbra) are important medicinal plants that exhibit valuable antiviral activities. Since medicinal and aromatic plants are a worldwide hot topic, the aim of the current review was to provide an overview of the development of plant-based anti-coronavirus agents to the researchers based on an extensive literature survey.

Keywords: Antiviral, Bioactive compounds, Cistus spp., Coronavirus, COVID19, Immune system, Lemon balm, Licorice root, Medicinal plants, Melissa officinalis L., Ocimum bacilicum L., Olive leaf, Outbreak, Peppermint, Pharmaceutical industry, Phytochemicals, Rhus coriaria L., Rockrose, Rosemary, Therapeutics.