Integrating Traditional Medicine (Phytochemical) & Computational Biology for Combating COVID-19

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, a zoonotic virus has affected Millions of people worldwide and has created turmoil all over the world as everything is at a standstill. Along with this worsening condition, no validated drugs exist specifically for the SARS-CoV-2 while prophylactic medicine remains an option. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases there can be pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. Phytochemicals help regulate the oxidative and proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor -\(\alpha\), interleukin (IL) 1\(\beta\), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), nuclear factor kappa B, nitric oxide synthase. An outcome of this is relief in a cytokine storm. Phytochemicals such as ascorbic acid, delphinidin, quercetin, ergosterol peroxide, punicalin, naringin, diosmin, hesperidin, emodin, chrysin are of relevance for the prophylactic treatment of COVID-19.