Prospective Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals Shielding Autoimmune and Cancer Patients Against the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Special Focus on Matcha

BackgroundBeing positive has been one of the most frustrating words anyone could hear since the end of 2019. This word had been overused globally due to the high infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2. All citizens are at risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, but a red warning sign has been directed towards cancer and immune-compromised patients in particular. These groups of patients are not only more prone to catch the virus but also more predisposed to its deadly consequences, something that urged the research community to seek other effective and safe solutions that could be used as a protective measurement for cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic. AimThe authors aimed to turn the spotlight on specific herbal remedies that showed potential anticancer activity, immuno-modulatory roles, and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions. MethodologyTo attain the purpose of the review, the research was conducted at the States National Library of Medicine (PubMed). To search databases, the descriptors used were as follows: COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, Herbal Drugs, Autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Nutraceuticals, Matcha, EGCG, Quercetin, Cancer, and key molecular pathways. ResultsThis manuscript reviewed most of the herbal drugs that showed a triple action concerning anticancer, immunomodulation, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Special attention was directed towards matcha as a novel potential protective and therapeutic agent for cancer and immunocompromised patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. ConclusionThis review sheds light on the pivotal role of matcha as a tri-acting herbal tea having a potent antitumorigenic effect, immunomodulatory role, and proven anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, thus providing a powerful shield for high-risk patients such as cancer and autoimmune patients during the pandemic.

Automated summary

This article introduces some herbal remedies that have potential anticancer activity, immuno-modulatory roles, and promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 actions, with special attention given to matcha as a novel potential protective and therapeutic agent for cancer and immunocompromised patients.