Evidence that Ginkgo Biloba could use in the influenza and coronavirus COVID-19 infections

Abstract

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic invades the world. Public health evaluates the incidence of infections and death, which should be reduced and need desperately quarantines for infected individuals. This article review refers to the roles of Ginkgo Biloba to reduce the risk of infection in the respiratory tract, the details on the epidemiology of corona COVID-19 and influenza, and it highlights how the Ginko Biloba could have been used as a novel treatment. Ginkgo Biloba can reduce the risk of infection by several mechanisms; these mechanisms involve Ginkgo Biloba contains quercetin and other constituents, which have anti-inflammatory and immune modulator effects by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations. Cytokines cause inflammation which have been induced the injuries in lung lining. Some observational studies confirmed that Ginkgo Biloba reduced the risk of asthma, sepsis and another respiratory disease as well as it reduced the risk of cigarette smoking on respiratory symptoms. While other evidences suggested the characters of Ginkgo Biloba as an antivirus agent through several mechanisms. Ginkgolic acid (GA) can inhibit the fusion and synthesis of viral proteins, thus, it inhibit the Herpes Simplex Virus type1 (HSV-1), genome replication in Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and the infections of the Zika Virus (ZIKV). Also, it inhibits the wide spectrum of fusion by inhibiting the three types of proteins that have been induced fusion as (Influenza A Virus [IAV], Epstein Barr Virus [EBV], HIV and Ebola Virus [EBOV]). The secondary mechanism of GA targeting inhibition of the DNA and protein synthesis in virus, greatly have been related to its strong effects, even afterward the beginning of the infection, therefore, it potentially treats the acute viral contaminations like (Measles and Coronavirus COVID-19). Additionally, it has been used topically as an effective agent on vigorous lesions including (varicella-zoster virus [VZV], HSV-1 and HSV-2). Ginkgo Biloba may be useful for treating the infected people with coronavirus COVID-19 through its beneficial effect. To assess those recommendations should be conducted with random control trials and extensive population studies.

Could SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Be Responsible for Long-COVID Syndrome?

“…The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 was beneficial in generalized anxiety disorder [177] and dementia [178], actions that may be useful for the neuropsychiatric aspects of long-COVID. Ginkgolic acid (GA) was shown to inhibit the fusion and synthesis of viral proteins [179]. Other studies have shown that green tea catechins could be useful in COVID-19 [180,181], especially against entry of SARS-CoV-2 [182].…”

Medicinal Herbs in the Relief of Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory Symptoms after COVID-19 Infection A Literature Review

“…It seems essential to use this drug even prophylactically and not wait for the first signs of dementia in a diagnosed COVID-19 infection [ 118 ]. Anxiety and depression are equally dangerous ailments associated with COVID-19 virus infection, and it is imperative to treat them.…”

Nutraceuticals in HIV and COVID-19-Related Neurological Complications: Opportunity to Use Extracellular Vesicles as Drug Delivery Modality

“…Ginkgo biloba contains quercetin, a polyphenol compound, and other components, and is suggested to have antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects that decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines [ 85 ]. Ginkgo biloba contains two different groups of compounds: (1) flavonoid glycosides (rutin and quercetin) and (2) terpene lactones (ginkgolic acid and ginkgolides A–C) [ 86 ].…”

“…A recent review by Ibrahim et al suggests that quercetin, a flavone extract of GB, can serve as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent by the downregulation of many pro-inflammatory cytokines such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), LPS-induced IL-8 in A549 cells in the lungs, and LPS-induced IL-1α and TNF-α in glial cells [ 85 ]. GA, an alkylphenol constituent of GB, has been shown to inhibit the viral protein-mediated host cell fusion in a variety of enveloped viruses (EBOV, HIV, ZIKA, HSV-1, HCMV, EBV, and IAV) and some non-enveloped viruses, which suggests that GA can potentially be used to treat other acute infections, including SARS-CoV-2 [ 85 , 87 ]. A recent study by Xiong et al also found that three ginkgo biloba leaf extracts (GBLEs)—GA C15:0, GA C17:1, and the bioflavone sciadopitysin—inhibit 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), a virally encoded proteinase essential for the replication of SARS-CoV-2, in a reversible and mixed-inhibition manner [ 91 ].…”