Botanical drugs and supplements affecting the immune response in the time of COVID-19: Implications for research and clinical practice.

Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Plantaphile, Collingswood, New Jersey, USA. Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Graz, Graz, Austria. American Botanical Council, Austin, Texas, USA. Association of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, San Diego, California, USA. Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, UK. Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Industrial Biotechnology Centre and School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Phytomed AB, Vaxtorp, Sweden. Europharma USA Inc., Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK.

Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2021;(6):3013-3031

Abstract

In times of health crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, the potential benefit of botanical drugs and supplements emerges as a focus of attention, although controversial efficacy claims are rightly a concern. Phytotherapy has an established role in everyday self-care and health care, but, since botanical preparations contain many chemical constituents rather than single compounds, challenges arise in demonstrating efficacy and safety. However, there is ample traditional, empirical, and clinical evidence that botanicals can offer some protection and alleviation of disease symptoms as well as promoting general well-being. Newly emerging viral infections, specifically COVID-19, represent a unique challenge in their novelty and absence of established antiviral treatment or immunization. We discuss here the roles and limitations of phytotherapy in helping to prevent and address viral infections, especially regarding their effects on immune response. Botanicals with a documented immunomodulatory, immunostimulatory, and antiinflammatory effects include adaptogens, Boswellia spp., Curcuma longa, Echinacea spp., Glycyrrhiza spp., medicinal fungi, Pelargonium sidoides, salicylate-yielding herbs, and Sambucus spp. We further provide a clinical perspective on applications and safety of these herbs in prevention, onset, progression, and convalescence from respiratory viral infections.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Review

Metadata