Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Africa: Acclaimed home remedies

Abstract

At last the WHO declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) now known as COVID-19 a pandemic. Amidst uncertainty both in the pathophysiology and the management of COVID-19, many African countries in the face of either over-stretched or non-existent healthcare infrastructure resorted to home remedies as immediate alternative or first line of action. The present study is a synoptic capture of these home remedies with an attempt to understand the pharmacological basis on which these choices are predicated. Literature was compiled from google, social media, Radio and Television commentaries and news with stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Natural spices (turmeric, ginger, garlic etc) and leaves (neem, paw paw, guava, etc) with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were found to be beneficial. These home remedies may hold promise in the prophylaxis and cure of COVID-19 infection.

Complementary and alternative medicines use in COVID-19: A global perspective on practice, policy and research

“… 38 Leaves of Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Carica papaya, Psidium guajava, Citrus reticulate, and Musa paradisiaca steam-inhaled and taken orally were shown in a recent study to be offering symptoms relief and restore physiological and psychological functions. 39 Zimbabwean government was reported to have authorised herbalists to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms raising concerns among national public health experts. 40…”

Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?

“… 48 In some parts of Africa, acclaimed remedies containing ginger in mixes of various herbs were also used for the management of COVID-19. 49 The results from a clinical trial study from Iran indicate that a combination therapy by ginger and Echinacea in suspected COVID-19 outpatients attenuated some of their clinical symptoms (breath shortness, coughing and muscular pain) in comparison with those treated with a standard protocol using hydroxychloroquine, alone. 50 In addition, the hospitalization rate in the intervention group (2.0%) was lower than that in the control group (6.0%).…”

Medicinal chemistry inspired by ginger: exploring the chemical space around 6-gingerol

“…common cold), 2 and have also been studied for a wide range of bioactivities including anti-inammatory, antioxidant, 3 antimicrobial, 4 antidiabetic, 5 antihypertensive, cardioprotective, 6 neuroprotective, 7 anti-obesity, 8 antimigraine, 9 and anticancer effects. 2,10 Most recently, ginger gained a signicant public attention when it was also suggested as a natural home remedy that may help against COVID-19, [11][12][13] and even though at this time this is by no means an evidence-based use, 14 the anti-inammatory effect of ginger may hold some promise in the relief of respiratory symptoms connected to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. 15 A wide array of bioactive compounds have been identied in ginger such as phenolic compounds and terpenes; these have recently been reviewed.…”