The Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Natural Medicinal Herbs and Mushrooms and SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

The 2019 novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, producing the disease COVID-19 is a pathogenic virus that targets mostly the human respiratory system and also other organs. SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans, however there have been previous outbreaks of different versions of the beta coronavirus including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV1) from 2002 to 2003 and the most recent Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) which was first identified in 2012. All of the above have been recognised as major pathogens that are a great threat to public health and global economies. Currently, no specific treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection has been identified; however, certain drugs have shown apparent efficacy in viral inhibition of the disease. Natural substances such as herbs and mushrooms have previously demonstrated both great antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the possibilities of natural substances as effective treatments against COVID-19 may seem promising. One of the potential candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be Inonotus obliquus (IO), also known as chaga mushroom. IO commonly grows in Asia, Europe and North America and is widely used as a raw material in various medical conditions. In this review, we have evaluated the most effective herbs and mushrooms, in terms of the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects which have been assessed in laboratory conditions.

Recent Developments in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) Polysaccharides: Isolation, Structural Characteristics, Biological Activities and Application

“…Currently, there are relatively few studies on the antiviral mechanism of Inonotus obliquus , and further research is needed. It was reported that IOPS could inhibit the induction of NO and other similar cytokines, a phenomenon that had been associated with Covid-19 [ 132 , 133 ]. By using cell models of feline calicivirus (FCV) in vitro, Tian revealed the mechanism of IOPS treatment was that it might induce its inhibitory actions directly on virus particles through blocking viral binding/absorbing, and this demonstrated that IOPS might be a potential broad-spectrum antiviral drug against feline viruses [ 134 ].…”

Molecular scaffolds from mother nature as possible lead compounds in drug design and discovery against coronaviruses: A landscape analysis of published literature and molecular docking studies

“…Saikosaponin-A, -B2, C and D have been reported to induce substantial antiviral effects against HCoV-22E9 [ 63 ]. These are the naturally occurring triterpene glycosides found and extracted from a number of medicinal plants including Scrophularia scorodonia, Heteromorpha spp.…”

Different ways to exploit mushrooms: A review

“…Significance of uptake of mushrooms has been raised now more than ever during the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 because there is no specific treatment or vaccine is available to fight against it but by the regular intake of natural products like Inonotus obliquus, lentinula edodes, and Grifola frondosa with effective antiviral and anti-inflammatory peculiarities, effects of SARS-CoV-2 can be minimized (Shahzad et al 2020). The main aim of this review is to describe different aspects of medicinal and edible mushroom by which it has revolutionized the world; a step toward the nongreen revolution.…”