The Efficacy of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Modulating the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 and Cytokine Storm

Selected traditional medicinal plants exhibit therapeutic effects in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients. This review aims to identify the phytochemicals from five traditional medicinal plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Nigella sativa, Curcuma longa, Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera) with high potential in modulating the main protease (Mpro) activity and cytokine storm in Covid-19 infection. The Mpro binding affinity of 13 plant phytochemicals were in the following order: Withanoside II>withanoside IV>withaferin A>alpha-hederin>withanoside V>sitoindoside IX>glabridin>liquiritigenin, nigellidine>curcumin>glycyrrhizin>tinocordiside>berberine. Among these phytochemicals, glycyrrhizin, withaferin A, curcumin, nigellidine and cordifolioside A suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication and showed stronger anti-inflammatory activities than standard Covid-19 drugs. Both preclinical and clinical evidences supported the development of plant bioactive compounds as Mpro inhibitors.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the potential of phytochemicals from selected traditional medicinal plants in modulating the activity of the main protease (Mpro) and cytokine storm in Covid-19 patients. Among the studied phytochemicals, glycyrrhizin, withaferin A, curcumin, nigellidine, and cordifolioside A showed promising results in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 replication and exhibiting anti-inflammatory activities.