Ginseng, a promising choice for SARS-COV-2: A mini review

Abstract

The current Covid-19 pandemic has changed the entire world and bought so many unprecedented challenges to the scientific community. More than 5 million people died due to the SARS-COV-2 outbreak. For many thousands of years, ginseng, the traditional herb has been used for various infectious diseases by traditional healers. Ginseng showed promising antiviral effects by modulating both natural and acquired immunity. Ginseng might be used as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection along with the vaccine. In this current review, we offer an alternative approach for SARS-COV-2 prevention during this unprecedented pandemic.

In silico and in vitro studies of potential inhibitors against Dengue viral protein NS5 Methyl Transferase from Ginseng and Notoginseng

“… 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 Ginseng was reported as a promising adjuvant for the treatment of viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. 17 , 18 Regarding their antiviral activities, Ginseng can inhibit, or show protective effects against a range of viruses such as Hepatitis B, Human Rotavirus, H5N1 influenza virus, H1N1 influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 17 A formula containing both Ginseng and Notoginseng has been used in the recovery phase for DENV-infected patients in China.…”

Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Studies of Ginsenosides with SARS-CoV-2 Host and Viral Entry Protein Targets

“…However, few studies have evaluated and published their anti-viral (COVID-19) efficacy. 22,23 Therefore, this study evaluated the anti-viral effectiveness of ginsenosides (122) via computational approaches, as they are the principle and fundamental investigation methodology that has been used widely in recent times. Computational techniques are vital to discover novel and potential small molecules in drug discovery and development as they are cost-, time-, and labor-effective.…”

“…Since the beginning of the pandemic, numerous in silico studies highly focus on screening and repurposing potential inhibitors from natural products for their anti-viral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Natural products such as plant metabolites comprise a vast and diverse source of bioactive compounds, some of which are supported by thousands of years of traditional medicine. Because of their varied therapeutic applications, one among them is "ginsenosides," major bioactive components of Panax ginseng, family Araliaceae.…”

“…21 Recently, a few studies have been published focusing on the preventive efficacy of ginseng on SARS-CoV-2 and its related symptoms. 22,23 A recent study has investigated the anti-viral efficacy of the fermented black ginseng extract, which inhibits the replication of this virus strain in the SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cell, but also reduces the number of viral RNA copies in the extracellular environment. 24 Additionally, ginsenosides are reported to mimic the action of steroids in binding and explicating similar activities via binding to glucocorticoid receptors.…”

Anti-fatigue effect from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma: a suggestive and promising treatment for long COVID

“…Its anti-viral properties, in particular, is considered a feature of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and its extracts in viral-induced fatigue, which distinguishes it from other ME/CFS—such as postoperative, cancer, or other pathogen-related fatigue. Several studies have reported that oral administration of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma extracts shows promising anti-viral effects (e.g., lowering viral loads and improving the viability of infected cells) against human immunodeficiency virus-1, influenza virus, rotavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus [ 25 – 26 ] . Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma can ameliorate chronic inflammation induced by a variety of autoimmune diseases—such as rheumatic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease—presumably by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNFα [ 27 – 28 ] .…”