Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F. as a Potential Anti-COVID-19 Plant: A Mini-review of Its Antiviral Activity

Abstract

Aims: A novel β-coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has become a pandemic affecting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Since there is no effective treatment, the need of finding alternative methods which can help to curb this pandemic is urgent. This study aims to review the literature on the virucidal and cytotoxic properties of Aloe vera, one of the most studied plants considered as a nutraceutical in order to propose it as an alternative solution against COVID-19.
 Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the COVID-19 resources that have been made freely available to the scientific community but also on the usual databases such as Pubmed and Google scholar.
 Results: The literature review shows that the plant has antiviral activity on several types of virus (Haemorrhagic Viral Rhobdavirus Septicaemia, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Herpes simplex virus type 2, Varicella-Zoster virus, human immunodeficiency virus, Influenza virus, poliovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Human papillomavirus) including coronavirus SARS-CoV-1. The plant is consumed orally in several forms and is safe. It is possible that molecules of this plant that have already shown effectiveness on other viruses by some mechanisms such as interaction of virus enzyme, breakdown of the viral envelope etc. could participate in the action of the plant. Also, the presence of minerals such as Zinc, which have shown an effect on SARS-CoV-1, could be involved in the antiviral effect of Aloe vera.
 Conclusion: Molecular docking of the main molecules of Aloe vera with SARS-CoV-2 protease is in progress and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the activity of Aloe vera on COVID-19.

COVID-19: Eco-friendly hand hygiene for human and environmental safety

“…It has various medicinal properties and therefore, it is used in various pharmaceutical applications. Antiviral and antibacterial effects of Aloe vera has also been reported in the literature [ 46 , 47 ]. Aloin and aloe-emodin are the key molecules for the antiviral activity of Aloe vera .…”

“…Aloin and aloe-emodin are the key molecules for the antiviral activity of Aloe vera . These molecules kill the enveloped viruses including SARS-CoV-1, influenza, and HIV viruses either by destructing the lipid envelope of the virus or inhibiting the viral replication [ 47 ]. All these properties make it an attractive choice to be a key component in a non-alcoholic hand rub sanitizer.…”

Facing COVID-19 via anti-inflammatory mechanism of action: Molecular docking and Pharmacokinetic studies of six anti-inflammatory compounds derived from Passiflora edulis

“…Indeed, the ligand 1 or chrysin has anti-in ammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities [44][45], while ligand 2 or kaempferol exhibits antitumor, antioxidant and anti-in ammatory capabilities [46]. In fact, our previous studies showed that aloe vera represents potential treatment for COVID-19 [47], and three of its phytochemicals were identi ed as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, in which two compounds exhibit antiin ammatory effect [5]. The anti-in ammatory activity of luteolin in experimental animal models was reported by Ziyan and co-workers [48], and recently, a study by Lesjak and co-authors showed antioxidant and anti-in ammatory activities of quercetin and its derivatives [49].…”

Combating COVID-19: The role of drug repurposing and medicinal plants

“…Aloe vera also contains zinc, which has the ability to inhibit the replication of retroviruses including SARS-CoV- 1 [ 94 ]. Mpiana and co-workers are convinced that Aloe vera extract rich in zinc and its secondary bioactive metabolites could be used in the management of COVID-19 owing to their ability to attenuate expression of pro-inflammatory factors that induce acute respiratory distress and by strengthening the immune system [ 95 ]. Gyebi and co-workers screened 62 alkaloids and 100 terpenoid bioactive natural products derived from the native African medicinal plants as potential inhibitors of coronavirus 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL pro ) using in silico approach.…”