This study evaluated the antioxidant and protective properties of certain medicinal plants against oxidative stress in the brain and liver. , , and showed strong effects and could potentially help manage or prevent degenerative diseases.
Scientists studied the potential of plant compounds to bind to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as to the host receptors the virus uses to enter cells. They performed computer simulations and found that artemisinin had the strongest binding affinity with the spike proteins and was stable in simulations. Emodin had the best interactions with the host receptors. Both compounds were non-toxic. These results suggest that these plant compounds could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and warrant further investigation as potential COVID-19 therapies.
Researchers aimed to identify potential drug candidates for COVID-19 treatment by screening 100 phytocompounds for their binding affinity to the N-terminal domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking and simulation techniques were used to study the interaction stability of the best three protein-ligand complexes. The phytocompounds which showed good binding affinity and met drug likeness properties and non-toxicity were identified as potential therapy for COVID-19. Alizarin, aloe-emodin, and anthrarufin were identified as the most promising phytocompounds and can be further tested for use as a potential drug to cure SARS-CoV-2 infection.