As the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing, the therapeutic gaps in conventional management have highlighted the need for the integration of traditional knowledge systems with modern medicine. Ayurvedic medicines, especially Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, WS), may be beneficial in the management of COVID-19. WS is a widely prescribed Ayurvedic botanical known as an immunomodulatory, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic agent. The chemical profile and pharmacological activities of WS have been extensively reported. Several clinical studies have reported its safety for use in humans. This review presents a research synthesis of in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and discusses its potential for prophylaxis and management of COVID-19. We have collated the data from studies on WS that focused on viral infections (HIV, HSV, H1N1 influenza, etc.) and noncommunicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, etc.). The experimental literature indicates that WS has the potential for 1) maintaining immune homeostasis, 2) regulating inflammation, 3) suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, 4) organ protection (nervous system, heart, lung, liver, and kidney), and 5) anti-stress, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic activities. Using these trends, the review presents a triangulation of Ayurveda wisdom, pharmacological properties, and COVID-19 pathophysiology ranging from viral entry to end-stage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The review proposes WS as a potential therapeutic adjuvant for various stages of COVID-19 management. WS may also have beneficial effects on comorbidities associated with the COVID-19. However, systematic studies are needed to realize the potential of WS for improving clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19.

BackgroundPrognostication plays a pivotal role in critical care medicine. Its importance is indisputable in the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as the presentation of this disease may vary from docile, self-limiting symptoms to lethal conditions. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, much emphasis was initially placed on molecular and serological testing. However, it was realized later that routine laboratory tests also provide key information in terms of the severity of the disease and thus could be used to predict the outcome of these patients.

Objective: Plant phenols are extensively studied, thanks to their many prophylactic (anti-tumoural, ulcer, inflammatory) and therapeutic effects. Their many antioxidants may protect against diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases. Our objective was to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of our samples: Cocos nucifera (shell), Punica granatum (peel), Citrus limonum (rind), and Ocimum sanctum (stem); in conjugation with phytochemical analysis. Methods: The hydro-methanolic extracts of the selected plant parts were assessed for polyphenols. Antioxidant (ferric reducing power assay) and antibacterial (Kirby Bauer disc diffusion) assays were run for varying concentrations against-Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi. Results: The results showed that the samples all contained polyphenols with high total phenolic activity in pomegranate and high antibacterial activity in coconut. A more comprehensive study could lead to their emphatic incorporation into mainstream medicine and pharmaceuticals–furnishing natural alternatives to their chemical counterparts. Conclusion: The present study concludes that hydro-methanolic extracts of the samples contain phytochemicals in high concentrations, conferring upon them promising antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.