Revisiting pharmacological potentials of Nigella sativa seed: A promising option for COVID-19 prevention and cure.

Nigella sativa seed and its active compounds have been historically recognized as an effective herbal panacea that can promote a healthy immune response and suppress chronic inflammation. Recent findings suggest that N. sativa could be a potential candidate in nutraceuticals to prevent and cure COVID-19. The review aims to revisit the pharmacological benefits of N. sativa seed and its active metabolites that could be a potential basis for developing a novel preventive and therapeutic strategy against COVID-19. Bioactive compounds of N. sativa seed, especially thymiquinone, α-hederin, and nigellidine, could be promising herbal drugs to combat COVID-19. Preclinical and clinical trials are required to investigate their efficacy and potency under specific pathophysiological conditions of COVID-19.

Islam MN et al (2021).

Phytother Res.

DOI:

10.1002/ptr.6895

PubMed:

33047412

Health Benefits of Silybum marianum: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Applications.

Wang X, Zhang Z and Wu SC (2020).

J Agric Food Chem.

DOI:

10.1021/acs.jafc.0c04791

PubMed:

33045827

Implementation of Microfluidics for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Assays: Issues and Optimization Requirements.

Parsley NC, Smythers AL and Hicks LM (2020).

Front Cell Infect Microbiol.

DOI:

10.3389/fcimb.2020.547177

PubMed:

33042872

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by Fumaria officinalis extracts in leukemia and multiple myeloma cell lines.

Adham AN, Naqishbandi AM and Efferth T (2021).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2020.113458

PubMed:

33039632

Pleiotropic Effects of Comarum palustre L. in Patients with Osteoarthritis and Diabetes Mellitus with High Comorbidity Burden: An Exploratory Study.

Comarum palustre L., a herbal treatment, shows potential for addressing both osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus, reducing the need for multiple medications in patients with these conditions. More research needed.

Shirinsky IV et al (2021).

Altern Ther Health Med.

PubMed:

33038079

Potential roles of medicinal plants for the treatment of viral diseases focusing on COVID-19: A review.

Scientists have identified 93 potential drug candidates from natural products such as medicinal plants and herbs that could effectively inhibit the coronavirus, including COVID-19. These candidates include pure compounds like Blancoxanthone and herbacetin, and extracts from plants like Artemisia annua and Tinospora cordifolia. The study suggests that natural products can be used as a source for potential drug discovery against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, including SARS and MERS-CoV. This provides a promising avenue for future research to develop effective treatments for the ongoing pandemic.

Adhikari B et al (2021).

Phytother Res.

DOI:

10.1002/ptr.6893

PubMed:

33037698

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermented Broths Enriched with Eruca sativa Seed Extracts on Intestinal Barrier and Inflammation in a Co-Culture System of an Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Human Intestinal Cells.

Bonvicini F et al (2020).

Nutrients.

DOI:

10.3390/nu12103064

PubMed:

33036498

Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Ethiopian thyme (Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi) against tooth decay bacteria.

Damtie D and Mekonnen Y (2020).

PLoS One.

DOI:

10.1371/journal.pone.0239775

PubMed:

33036019