#213 Probable role of immunity booster herbal drugs in Covid-19 from Abha, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) emerged in December 2019; from (Wuhan) China has now become an emergency of major international concern. It is a highly contagious disease that is believed to be a mutated form of SARS (2002) and MERS (2012) virus, causing approximately 3.7% mortality rate worldwide. The main cause of mortality is clusters of severe respiratory illness similar to SARS. The transmission of the novel coronavirus occurs via droplets of human sputum, contaminated hands, and surfaces. The incubation time has been described to be 02-14 days, and for the treatment of Covid-19, early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive care are essential for patients. The aim here is to focus on the possible role of immunity booster herbal drugs to develop a better immunity that helps to protect humans from Covid-19 infections. Immunity-boosting herbal drugs and their purified products have shown positive results and may have a role as a supportive treatment against Covid-19 infections. Some herbal drugs like Mentha longifolia, Plectranthus amboinicus, and Allium sativum are known immunity-boosting drugs commonly used as folklore medicines in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. The drugs mentioned above may give promising protection against Covid-19 infection if the research is focused on these herbals. Apart from these mentioned drugs, Zingiber officinalis, Curcuma longa, and Ocimum sanctum may play their therapeutic roles for Covid-19 by treating lungs associated diseases. Immunity booster herbals could be a valuable tool for the development of active compounds for protection against Covid-19 infection and may contribute to the mitigation of the spread of the pandemic.