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(a) Structures of glycyrrhizic acid (GLR) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA). GLR is composed of a central saponin core flanked by a carbohydrate side chain at C-3. Below, the molecular models of GLR and GA show the accessible surface and hydrophilic (purple) and lipophilic (green) sites. For GLR, the central triterpenoid aglycone, largely hydrophobic, is bound to a hydrophilic sugar chain. The model of GA (aglycone) is shown for comparison. Models were built with Discovery Studio 2020 Client, Dassault Systemes Biovia Corp..
Source publication
Safe and efficient drugs to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic are urgently needed. In this context, we have analyzed the anti-coronavirus potential of the natural product glycyrrhizic acid (GLR), a drug used to treat liver diseases (including viral hepatitis) and specific cutaneous inflammation (such as atopic dermatitis) in some countries. The...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... is a glycoside of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, the sapogenin moiety) with two residues of glucuronic acid (Fig. 1). GA is the major metabolite of GLR, together with 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronyl-glycyrrhetinic acid (3MGA) and a minor sulfated metabolite ( Ishiuchi et al., 2019;Morinaga et al., 2018). Orally administered GLR is metabolized into GA by intestinal bacteria and absorbed via the intestine. Nevertheless, GLR is detected in human plasma after ...
Context 2
... vesicles can serve to transport and deliver GLR, but also to facilitate the transportation and delivery of co-loaded drugs. Indeed, GLR is viewed as a multifunctional carrier for a variety of hydrophobic molecules, by virtue of its amphiphilic properties (Fig. 1, Table 1). The Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) for GLR is large, offering a significant potential to interact with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, and with multiple H-bond donor/acceptor sites (Table 1). GL complexes or micelles with many drugs have been reported, for examples with anticancer drugs such as ...
Context 3
... the interaction is significant, stronger than with GA and sufficient to induce plasma membrane perturbations. It has been shown that the drug can move within the membrane, with exchange of GLR molecules from solution to the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer (Selyutina et al., 2016). Normally, cholesterol makes the bilayer more rigid but the interaction with GLR reduces the rigidification of the membrane, and thus possibly increases membrane permeability. ...
Context 4
... plays important roles in viral infections and the trapping of HMGB1 by GLR has multiple consequences in terms of viral pathogenicity. Different examples can be cited to underline the relationship between HMGB1-GLR binding and viral infection: (i) GLR reduces HMGB1 binding to DNA and thus inhibits influenza virus polymerase activity ( Moisy et al., 2012); (ii) GLR inhibits HMGB1 upregulation in cells infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and this effect is associated with significant reduction of viral replication (Manti, Harford, Salpietro, Rezaee, & Piedimonte, 2018); (iii) treatment of HBVinfected mice with GLR significantly decreases the intrahepatic recruitment of inflammatory cells (Sitia, Iannacone, Müller, Bianchi, & Guidotti, 2007), (iv) as mentioned above, inhibition of HMGB1 by GLR restricts the entry and replication of PEDV (Huan et al., 2017), (v) GLR blocks the release of HMGB1 by HSV-2 infected cells and thus abrogates HIV-1 reactivation (Borde et al., 2011), (vi) the drug can also favor the elimination of HIV-1-infected dendritic cells by this HMGB1 trapping mechanism (Melki, Saïdi, Dufour, Olivo-Marin, & Gougeon, 2010;Saïdi, Melki, & Gougeon, 2008). Moreover, HMGB1 inhibition attenuates the proinflammatory response engendered by the PEDV infection. ...
Context 5
... plays important roles in viral infections and the trapping of HMGB1 by GLR has multiple consequences in terms of viral pathogenicity. Different examples can be cited to underline the relationship between HMGB1-GLR binding and viral infection: (i) GLR reduces HMGB1 binding to DNA and thus inhibits influenza virus polymerase activity ( Moisy et al., 2012); (ii) GLR inhibits HMGB1 upregulation in cells infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and this effect is associated with significant reduction of viral replication (Manti, Harford, Salpietro, Rezaee, & Piedimonte, 2018); (iii) treatment of HBVinfected mice with GLR significantly decreases the intrahepatic recruitment of inflammatory cells (Sitia, Iannacone, Müller, Bianchi, & Guidotti, 2007), (iv) as mentioned above, inhibition of HMGB1 by GLR restricts the entry and replication of PEDV (Huan et al., 2017), (v) GLR blocks the release of HMGB1 by HSV-2 infected cells and thus abrogates HIV-1 reactivation (Borde et al., 2011), (vi) the drug can also favor the elimination of HIV-1-infected dendritic cells by this HMGB1 trapping mechanism (Melki, Saïdi, Dufour, Olivo-Marin, & Gougeon, 2010;Saïdi, Melki, & Gougeon, 2008). Moreover, HMGB1 inhibition attenuates the proinflammatory response engendered by the PEDV infection. ...
Context 6
... is a well-established oriental phytomedicine used for a long time to treat hepatic disorders. The production of the drug is securitized, and drug products of good quality can be found easily. Our scientific analysis highlighted the following main characteristics (Fig. ...
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... is a glycoside of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA, the sapogenin moiety) with two residues of glucuronic acid (Fig. 1). GA is the major metabolite of GLR, together with 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronyl-glycyrrhetinic acid (3MGA) and a minor sulfated metabolite ( Ishiuchi et al., 2019;Morinaga et al., 2018). Orally administered GLR is metabolized into GA by intestinal bacteria and absorbed via the intestine. Nevertheless, GLR is detected in human plasma after ...
Context 8
... vesicles can serve to transport and deliver GLR, but also to facilitate the transportation and delivery of co-loaded drugs. Indeed, GLR is viewed as a multifunctional carrier for a variety of hydrophobic molecules, by virtue of its amphiphilic properties (Fig. 1, Table 1). The Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) for GLR is large, offering a significant potential to interact with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, and with multiple H-bond donor/acceptor sites (Table 1). GL complexes or micelles with many drugs have been reported, for examples with anticancer drugs such as ...
Context 9
... the interaction is significant, stronger than with GA and sufficient to induce plasma membrane perturbations. It has been shown that the drug can move within the membrane, with exchange of GLR molecules from solution to the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer (Selyutina et al., 2016). Normally, cholesterol makes the bilayer more rigid but the interaction with GLR reduces the rigidification of the membrane, and thus possibly increases membrane permeability. ...
Context 10
... plays important roles in viral infections and the trapping of HMGB1 by GLR has multiple consequences in terms of viral pathogenicity. Different examples can be cited to underline the relationship between HMGB1-GLR binding and viral infection: (i) GLR reduces HMGB1 binding to DNA and thus inhibits influenza virus polymerase activity ( Moisy et al., 2012); (ii) GLR inhibits HMGB1 upregulation in cells infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and this effect is associated with significant reduction of viral replication (Manti, Harford, Salpietro, Rezaee, & Piedimonte, 2018); (iii) treatment of HBVinfected mice with GLR significantly decreases the intrahepatic recruitment of inflammatory cells (Sitia, Iannacone, Müller, Bianchi, & Guidotti, 2007), (iv) as mentioned above, inhibition of HMGB1 by GLR restricts the entry and replication of PEDV (Huan et al., 2017), (v) GLR blocks the release of HMGB1 by HSV-2 infected cells and thus abrogates HIV-1 reactivation (Borde et al., 2011), (vi) the drug can also favor the elimination of HIV-1-infected dendritic cells by this HMGB1 trapping mechanism (Melki, Saïdi, Dufour, Olivo-Marin, & Gougeon, 2010;Saïdi, Melki, & Gougeon, 2008). Moreover, HMGB1 inhibition attenuates the proinflammatory response engendered by the PEDV infection. ...
Context 11
... plays important roles in viral infections and the trapping of HMGB1 by GLR has multiple consequences in terms of viral pathogenicity. Different examples can be cited to underline the relationship between HMGB1-GLR binding and viral infection: (i) GLR reduces HMGB1 binding to DNA and thus inhibits influenza virus polymerase activity ( Moisy et al., 2012); (ii) GLR inhibits HMGB1 upregulation in cells infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and this effect is associated with significant reduction of viral replication (Manti, Harford, Salpietro, Rezaee, & Piedimonte, 2018); (iii) treatment of HBVinfected mice with GLR significantly decreases the intrahepatic recruitment of inflammatory cells (Sitia, Iannacone, Müller, Bianchi, & Guidotti, 2007), (iv) as mentioned above, inhibition of HMGB1 by GLR restricts the entry and replication of PEDV (Huan et al., 2017), (v) GLR blocks the release of HMGB1 by HSV-2 infected cells and thus abrogates HIV-1 reactivation (Borde et al., 2011), (vi) the drug can also favor the elimination of HIV-1-infected dendritic cells by this HMGB1 trapping mechanism (Melki, Saïdi, Dufour, Olivo-Marin, & Gougeon, 2010;Saïdi, Melki, & Gougeon, 2008). Moreover, HMGB1 inhibition attenuates the proinflammatory response engendered by the PEDV infection. ...
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Background
Glycyrrhizin, an active component of liquorice root extract, exhibits antiviral and immunomodulatory properties by direct inhibition of the pro-inflammatory alarmin HMGB1 (High-mobility group box 1).Objective
The aim of this study was to explore the role of liquorice intake on the viral entry receptor ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme...
Extracts of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) are used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. The main active components are the saponin glycyrrhizin (GLR) and its active metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) which both display activities against Plasmodium falciparum. We have identified three main mechanisms at the origin of their anti-plas...
Citations
... Given that considerable progress has been made in HMGB1-targeted therapy in multiple inflammatory conditions, especially in blocking the production of excessive amounts of the extracellular disulfide HMGB1 isoform, which provides constitutes an attractive clinical opportunity to ameliorate systemic inflammatory diseases [64], and extracellular HMGB1 blockade also controls tumor progression by remodeling the immune microenvironment [28]. Gly, an HMGB1 inhibitor, can trap and block the alarmin function of HMGB1 in the extracellular release and cytoplasmic translocation, thus significantly decreasing tissue inflammation and immune cell recruitment [59,60,65,66]. After Gly treatment in Msi2 Transgenic CAC mice, HMGB1 blockade reduced immune infiltration within tumor tissues, as determined by findings such as the reductions in the migration and proportion of DCs, CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells and the production and secretion of inflammatory factors, cytokines and chemokines. ...
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the non-histone protein high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) are involved in modulating inflammation and immune responses. Recent studies have implicated that the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Musashi-2 (MSI2) regulates multiple critical biological metabolic and immunoregulatory functions. However, the precise role of MSI2 in regulating PTMs and tumor immunity in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Here, we present data indicating that MSI2 potentiates CRC immunopathology in colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) mouse models, cell lines and clinical specimens, specifically via HMGB1-mediated dendritic cell (DC) maturation and migration, further contributes to the infiltration of CD4 ⁺ and CD8 ⁺ T cells and inflammatory responses. Under stress conditions, MSI2 can exacerbate the production, nucleocytoplasmic transport and extracellular release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)-HMGB1 in CRC cells. Mechanistically, MSI2 mainly enhances the disulfide HMGB1 production and protein translation via direct binding to nucleotides 1403–1409 in the HMGB1 3′ UTR, and interacts with the cytoplasmic acetyltransferase P300 to upregulate its expression, further promoting the acetylation of K29 residue in HMGB1, thus leading to K29-HMGB1 nucleocytoplasmic translocation and extracellular release. Furthermore, blocking HMGB1 activity with glycyrrhizic acid (Gly) attenuates MSI2-mediated immunopathology and immune infiltration in CRC in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, this study suggests that MSI2 may improve the prognosis of CRC patients by reprogramming the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) through HMGB1-mediated PTMs, which might be a novel therapeutic option for CRC immunotherapy.
... Lipid raft distribution reduces viral infectivity and holes in the viral envelope, which disturb the viral structure and affect viral protein release. Several studies observed that cholesterol depletion reduces the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 [120][121][122]. Inhibiting of viral biosynthesis and infection occurs using drugs such as lovastatin or squalestatin that promote cholesterol depletion. ...
Recently, COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, caused > 6 million deaths. Symptoms included respiratory strain and complications, leading to severe pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the ACE-2 receptor of the host cell membrane to enter. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 entry may effectively inhibit infection. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is a lysosomal protein that catalyzes the conversion of sphingolipid (sphingomyelin) to ceramide. Ceramide molecules aggregate/assemble on the plasma membrane to form “platforms” that facilitate the viral intake into the cell. Impairing the ASMase activity will eventually disrupt viral entry into the cell. In this review, we identified the metabolism of sphingolipids, sphingolipids' role in cell signal transduction cascades, and viral infection mechanisms. Also, we outlined ASMase structure and underlying mechanisms inhibiting viral entry 40 with the aid of inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs). In silico molecular docking analyses of FIASMAs with inhibitors revealed that dilazep (S = − 12.58 kcal/mol), emetine (S = − 11.65 kcal/mol), pimozide (S = − 11.29 kcal/mol), carvedilol (S = − 11.28 kcal/mol), mebeverine (S = − 11.14 kcal/mol), cepharanthine (S = − 11.06 kcal/mol), hydroxyzin (S = − 10.96 kcal/mol), astemizole (S = − 10.81 kcal/mol), sertindole (S = − 10.55 kcal/mol), and bepridil (S = − 10.47 kcal/mol) have higher inhibition activity than the candidate drug amiodarone (S = − 10.43 kcal/mol), making them better options for inhibition.
... Glycyrrhizin (GR) found in the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra has antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antiviral properties. Glycyrrhizin is able to reduce the infection of SARS-CoV by inhibiting viral replication, penetration and adsorption (Baillya et al., 2020). Another antiviral molecule, glycyrrhizic acid isolated from the same plant is able to interact with spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV and block the viral entry (Hoever et al., 2005). ...
Plants are useful as food and drugs to human beings. People are becoming progressively conscious of complications with the abuse and over prescription of conventional antibiotics. Plant extracts can be good alternative in day-today illness instead of antibiotics misuse. Complementary and alternative medicines are good option for treatment of routine ailments. Complexes and constituents with antiviral activity exists in numerous plants, for instance, rutin, a flavonoid glycoside generally found in a range of botanicals, is efficient against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and influenza A virus. Ascorbic acid, beta carotene and lots of phenolics play active parts in decreasing inflammation, postponing aging, and averting certain kinds of carcinomas. There are some phenolic compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, vitamins and lignins derived from plants acts as antioxidants. In this review article, we discussed upon history of use of plants as medicine, role of plants in viral infections, and anti-viral effects of various plants.
... Several indicators indicate that GZ may be beneficial in treating respiratory infections and ARDS. For decades, many medicinal plant formulations containing GZ have been utilized to treat upper respiratory infections [84]. Research have proposed the utilization of GZ as a treatment for respiratory distress syndrome due to its capacity to decrease the buildup of platelets in the lungs and hinder the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by activated inflammatory cells at the onset of the disease [85]. ...
Respiratory diseases, spanning from the common cold to severe conditions such as pneumonia and COVID-19, pose significant challenges to global health and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. The emergence of COVID-19 has heightened the requirement for effective therapeutic strategies. This review article examines the potential of specific medicinal plants, namely Black Cumin, Licorice, and Echinacea, and their phytoconstituents in the treatment of respiratory diseases, with a focus on COVID-19. It synthesizes extant knowledge on the therapeutic efficacy of these plants, which have been used traditionally in Unani, Ayurvedic, and Chinese medicine to alleviate respiratory symptoms and boost immune functions. This review also discusses the immunomodulatory and antiviral properties of these three specific medicinal plants, as well as their function in the treatment of a number of life-threatening diseases. Incorporating insights from ethnomedicine and contemporary scientific research, this review highlights the urgency of exploring herbal medicines as complementary therapies for respiratory diseases and offers perspectives on incorporating these natural remedies into contemporary treatment paradigms, particularly in the fight against COVID-19.
... Additionally, they affect intercellular adhesion molecules and transcription factors. This cytokine-mediated modulation may occur through different mechanisms, such as reducing the activity of the inflammatory mediator toll-like receptor (TLR), preventing virus binding to the ACE2 receptor (7), and inhibiting several high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-mediated pathological pathways by directly binding to the HMGB1 protein (Supplementary Figure S1) (2,8). ...
Introduction
Glycyrrhizin (GA) and its derivative Enoxolone (18β), isolated from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, are two potential molecules for treating viral diseases. Both demonstrate to regulate immune system with antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, with the latter mainly due to modulation of inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a nebulized GA/18β drug for treating COVID-19 patients.
Methods
An open label, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in Mexico City from January-August 2022 (Registration No. PROTAP-CLI-00). Clinical and biochemical parameters were recorded. Blood samples from patients were regularly collected to evaluate interleukins IL-4, IL-2, IL-1b, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-10,IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-8 and TGF-β1, as well as IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2. Two doses of the drug were used - 30/2 mg (dose A) and 90/4 mg (dose B).
Results and discussion
Both GA/18β doses modulated inflammatory response by reducing mainly IL-17A expression, which in turn kept IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α interleukins unchanged, indicating significant modulation of key interleukin levels to prevent exacerbation of the immune response in COVID-19 patients. Early on, dose A increased IgM, while dose B induced expression of the antiviral IFN-γ. No severe side effects were seen with either dose, indicating nebulized GA/18β is a safe treatment that could be used for COVID-19 and potentially other viral infections involving inflammatory response.
... According to a 2003 investigation, GA can successfully prevent the reproduction of two SARSassociated FFM-1 and FFM-2 coronavirus isolates. Recent research has shown that the GA is a promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidate that can be used both alone and in conjunction with other medications (such as tenofovir and chloroquine) to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (Bailly et al. 2020;Mieres-Castro and Mora-Poblete 2023;Bhardwaj et al. 2023). This is primarily because GA binds to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), preventing the virus from spreading. ...
Saponins are a diverse group of compounds (triterpenoid and steroid glycosides), widely distributed, and characterized by their structures, which differ in the number of sugar units linked in various positions. Saponins have emerged as commercially significant compounds with expanding applications in food, cosmetics, and other pharmaceutical applications as a result of consumer demand for their surfactant properties and have received significant attention due to their biological activities (such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, delivery adjuvant, anticholesterol, and anti-inflammatory properties). To overcome the processing difficulties given by their complexity, new methods for their extraction and purification strategies must be developed in order to realize their full commercial potential. More attention must be paid to this group of metabolites because many of the active mechanisms are still unknown, and plant-derived saponins have great potential for replacing toxic synthetic or animal-derived surfactants in a wide range of modern commercial products. This review provides an update on the sources, structures, and pharmaceutical applications of phytosaponins and discusses the prospects and challenges of future saponin-based formulations or products.
... Traditionally honey or ghee is mixed with yashtimadhu powder before consumption. There are several different phytochemicals in Yashtimadhu such as liquiritigenin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin, prenyllicoflavone A, shinflavanone, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone A, isoliquiritin, glycyrrhetic acid, glabrin A, trans-ferulic acid, salicyclic acid, liquiritin apioside, glabridin, glycyrrhizin, glabrin B, and hispaglabridin (DK, 2021;Bailly and Vergoten, 2020). Mulethi can overcome the expression of interleukin, proinflammatory cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) and stimulate lymphocyte secretion. ...
... Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) is a widely used component that is extracted from licorice root [9]. GA has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as liver protection, anti-liver toxicity, and anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. There are two isomers of GA, named 18α, 20β-glycyrrhizinic acid (18α-GA) and 18β, 20β-glycyrrhizinic acid (18β-GA) [18]. ...
This study aimed to explore the liver protective effects of a fourth-generation glycyrrhizic acid product (magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate injection, MII) in the treatment of mice with drug-induced liver injury—specifically, to determine its effects on plasma metabolites. Moreover, the possible mechanism of its intervention in lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism through the liver protective effect was preliminarily explored, combined with network pharmacology. The liver injury model of mice was established using acetaminophen (APAP). The protective effect of MII on the mice model was evaluated using pathological tissue sections and biochemical indices such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Metabolomics analysis of plasma was performed using the UHPLC-QTOF/MS technique to screen for potential biomarkers and enriched metabolic pathways. The potential targets and pathways of MII were predicted by network pharmacology, and the mechanism was verified by Western blot analysis. MII significantly improved the pathological liver changes in mice with liver injury. The content of ALT and AST was decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01). A total of 29 potential biomarkers were identified in the metabolomics analysis, mainly involving seven pathways, such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. A total of 44 intersection targets of MII in the treatment of liver injury were obtained by network pharmacology, involving lipid metabolism and other related pathways. Western blot analysis results showed that MII could significantly reduce the expression of JAK2 and STAT3. MII can effectively ameliorate liver injury in modeled mice through related pathways such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study could provide not only a scientific basis for the elucidation of the mechanism of action of MII in exerting a hepatoprotective effect, but also a reference for its rational clinical application.
... Terpenoids, in particular, constitute a significant and varied group of natural products that includes both non-volatile and volatile compounds. Currently, over 80,000 terpenoid compounds have been identified and are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries [3,4]. ...
Terpenoids are the broadest and richest group of chemicals obtained from plants. These plant-derived terpenoids have been extensively utilized in various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals. Several specific terpenoids have been identified and isolated from medicinal plants, emphasizing the diversity of biosynthesis and specific functionality of terpenoids. With advances in the technology of sequencing, the genomes of certain important medicinal plants have been assembled. This has improved our knowledge of the biosynthesis and regulatory molecular functions of terpenoids with medicinal functions. In this review, we introduce several notable medicinal plants that produce distinct terpenoids (e.g., Cannabis sativa, Artemisia annua, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ginkgo biloba, and Taxus media). We summarize the specialized roles of these terpenoids in plant-environment interactions as well as their significance in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Additionally, we highlight recent findings in the fields of molecular regulation mechanisms involved in these distinct terpenoids biosynthesis, and propose future opportunities in terpenoid research, including biology seeding, and genetic engineering in medicinal plants.
... They also ran a molecular docking study to see how glycyrrhizic acid binds to cholesterol and the HMG box. Furthermore, they confirm glycyrrhizic acid's safety and suggest that it could efficiently experiment further to treat SARS-CoV-2 individually or in amalgamation with other constituents [81]. ...
Background
The entire world witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. It has become deadly everywhere across the globe. COVID-19 mortality varies across age groups and has been linked to an individual's innate immunity. In contrast, it was more lethal in immunocompromised people. The spread of viruses is slowed by both passive immunity and vaccine-aided acquired immunity. However, vaccine-induced immunity is transient, and there is no assurance that vaccinemediated antibodies will be effective against all future virus mutants. As a result, natural immunity boosters have become essential supplements that must be used nowadays to stay immunized against such infections. In Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Indian spices have been used for a long time to boost the immune system and fight off different diseases.
Objective
This review aims to disseminate information about traditional natural medicine in repurposing as an immunity booster and for antiviral effects in COVID-19.
Methods
Using published articles from recent years, the in silico docking study, survey-based study, and in vitro and preclinical research work on selected traditional herbs for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and antiviral properties are summarized. Withania somnifera, Piper nigrum, Emblica officinalis, Andrographis paniculate, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper longum, and Curcuma longa are some of the most commonly used natural spices studied extensively and hence selected in this review.
Results
This context summarizes selected plants showing immunomodulatory and antiviral effects in experimental animals, simulation, and clinical studies.
Conclusion
By virtue of antiviral potential, the chosen herbs could be used for repurposing in COVID-19 management after thorough clinical investigations.
