Immunity and COVID a

Herbs from ancient times have been used as an essential component in day to day daily life of humans. In the present covid-19 pandemic situation usage of herbs for enhancing immunity and preventing infections has become the centre of interest in the whole scientific community and is being studied as an alternative, economic and easily feasible cure to combat the viral disease and find help the whole humanity. Over urbanization, pollution, industrialization synthetic products were flooded in the market. But, nature has its own way of balancing the ecology which became evident in this pandemic situation. Age-old herbal combinations, compositions and formulations are being encouraged throughout the world.

Herbs mostly constitute natural products that are of plant origin. It may comprise different plant parts. Herbs mostly constitute different nutrients that are essential for the normal growth and well being of humans. These macronutrients and micronutrients can help to enhance immunity and fight against deadly infections like COVID-19. Some of the herbs which are most commonly used include turmeric, mangoes, Centella, amla and orange.

Tumeric is obtained from the tubers of (Curcuma longa). It exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activity due to the presence of curcuminoids-curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin and is safe up to 12 g in humans is quite safe.^{1, 2} Turmeric has anti-inflammatory property which helps the body’s immune system with healing and repair and also acts as an antioxidant by reducing the oxidative stress.³

Centella asiatica is an important medicinal herb and the complete plant is used for medicinal purposes worldwide. The active constituents responsible for the wide therapeutic actions are triterpenoidsaponins. The triterpenes include Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Asiaticosside, Madecassoside, Brahmoside, Brahmic acid, Brahminoside, Thankiniside, Isothankunisode, Centelloside, Madasiatic acid, Centic acid, and Cenellic acid. Studies revealed that Centella possesses wound-healing effects, antidepressant activity, antimicrobial and antifungal activity, antioxidant activity, antiviral activity, antiprotozoal activity, antifilarial activity, memory enhancement, antiulcer activity, hepatoprotective, antiproliferant activity, dermatological activity due to the presence of Madecassocide. Triterpene saponins and their sapogenins cause the wound healing and vascular effects by inhibiting the production of collagen at the wound site. Report revealed that the increase in the cerebral levels of GABA causes anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity. Centelloside and its derivatives are found to be effective in the treatment of venous hypertension. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown gastric ulcers healing properties. ^4,5,6 Centella is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, carotene and vitamin A. The total ash contains chloride, sulphate, phosphate, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.⁶

Mangoes are the fruits obtained from Mangiferaindica which is commonly used both in raw and ripe forms. Besides being delicious, it is rich in many vital nutrients which play important role in building and maintaining the immunity of the human body. Mangoes contain more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. It largely contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B12, folic acid and minerals like copper, iron, magnesium and calcium. Vitamins A, D, C, B6, zinc and iron help in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of mucosal cells which provide innate immunity to the body.^7,8  The E and K vitamins are found in minor quantities.  Also, Phenolic acids which are the secondary metabolites of the plant and form part of the human diet are of significant importance because of their biological abilities and health benefits. ⁹

Amla berry is also known as Indian gooseberries obtained from the plant Emblicaofficinalis and is as a highly potent antioxidant. Ayurveda recommends the consumption of Amla for improving immunity, boosting metabolism and longevity. Studies reveal that Amla contains tannins, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds which attribute to its high antioxidant property and helps in quenching a wide range of reactive oxygen species. Alma exhibits healing properties which are due to the active phytoconstituents such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, emblicanin A, emblicanin B, punigluconin, pedunculagin, citric acid, ellagotannin, trigallayl glucose, pectin, 1-Ogalloyl-b-D-glucose, 3,6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose, chebulagic acid, corilagin, 1,6-di-O-galloyl-b-D-glucose, 3 ethylgallic acid and isostrictiniin, kaempferol 3 O-a-L rhamnopyranoside and kaempferol 3 O-a-L rhamnopyranoside.  Amla contains vitamins namely Vitamin C, in the highest amount, vitamin B1,B2, B6, B12, vitamin A and minerals such as potassium, Calcium ,Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus and Zinc. Vitamin C helps to boost immunity. Studies proved that daily consumption of Amla increased the number of white blood cells number, enhanced the body’s defense mechanism to fight allergies, different pathogens causing infections and helped to flush out toxins. It also reduced inflammation. The antioxidant property helps in protecting livers from oxidative damage and the skin from harmful effects by quenching the free-radical damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. ^10,11 Studies have shown that Amla protects against diabetes, is cardioprotective in diabetes and also acts as antidepressent.¹²

Oranges are fruits obtained from Citrus sinensis. It is a rich source of antioxidants such as Vitamin C, flavonoids and phenolic compounds folic acid, vitamin B (thiamine), potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium and sulphur which play important role in boosting immunity and providing balanced nutrition for a healthy human body. Vitamin C present prevents cell damage, helps in collagen formation which leads to wound healing, it helps in absorption of iron and prevent anaemia, reduces advancement of age-related macular degeneration, antioxidant property fights free radicals which causes cancer and also various tissue damages and finally boosts the natural immunity. Oranges are high in calcium which is very necessary for keeping the bones, organs and muscle strength. Oranges are a big natural source to obtain folic acid, which is essential for DNA formation, for pregnant women and helps to prevent birth defects. Potassium present in oranges helps to lower blood pressure and Citric acid and citrates which prevent kidney stones formation.^13,14

Thus the rich nutritional and phytochemical components present in the natural sources discussed allow us a better understanding of how natural herbs can benefit human health, protect against infections caused by bacteria, fungi , virus and strengthen the body and can serve as a great boon to enhance the natural immunity and fight covid-19 like pandemic.

References

1. Kumar Mudnakudu Nagaraju, Chandan Shivamallub, K.J. Thirumalai, Subramaniamd, Arun Radhakrishna, nd Suresh Bhojrajc, Gowthamarajan Kuppusamy, R. K. T. Antiviral and immunomodulatory activity of curcumin: A case for prophylactic therapy for COVID-19. Heliyon;2021, 7.
2. Christopher D Lao, M. T. R., Daniel Normolle, Dennis D Heath, Sandra I Murray, Joanne M Bailey, Martha E Boggs, James Crowell, Cheryl L  Rock, and Dean E Brenner. Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation. BMC Complement Altern Med;2006, 6, 1-4.
3. https://spy.com/articles/health-wellness/diet-nutrition/best-tumeric-supplements-1202739162/
4. PratibhaSingha, J. S. S. Recruitment and competitive interaction between ramets and seedlings in a perennial medicinal herb, Centella asiatica, Basic and Applied Ecology,2002, 3 (1), 65-76.
5. Kashmira J. Gohil, J. A. P., and Anuradha K. Gajjar. Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all, Indian J Pharm Sci 2010, 72 (5), 546–556.
6. Rajni Kant, P. P. S., and Ashis Kumar Datta. The Medicinal Role of Centella asiatica and ItsApplications in the Dahi: A Research Review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International 2019, 28(6): , 1-9.
7. https://mynutrition.wsu.edu/nutrition-basics
8. Adrian F. Gombart, A. P., and Silvia Maggini. A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection, Nutrients 2020, 12,236, 1-41.
9. Maria Elena Maldonado-Celis, E. M. Y., Ramiro Bedoya, Patricia Landázuri, Nelsy Loango, Johanny Aguillón,, Beatriz Restrepo and Juan Camilo Guerrero Ospina. Chemical Composition of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Fruit: Nutritional and Phytochemical Compounds. Front. Plant Sci., 2019, 17, 1073, 1-21.
10. https://www.clinicaleducation.org/resources/reviews/amla-an-ancient-super-berry-emerges-from-india/
11. https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/amla-benefits-uses-for-hair-and-health-conditions-supplements-and-recipes
12. Dinesh Dhingra, P. J., Arun Gupta & Ritu Chhillar. Possible Involvement of Monoaminergic Neurotransmission in antidepressant-like activity of Emblica officinalis Fruits in Mice. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 2011, 18 (5), 419–425.
13. Olabinjo1, O. O.; , A. S. O.; , O. O. A.; , A. P. O. Analysis of Physical and Chemical Compositionof Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peels. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology (IJEAB) 2017, 2 (4) 2201-2206.
14. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-oranges