Possible Effect of Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils against COVID-19: Review of Their Antiviral Activity
Damien S. T. Tshibangu
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Aristote Matondo
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Emmanuel M. Lengbiye
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Clement L. Inkoto
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Etienne M. Ngoyi
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Carlos N. Kabengele
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gedeon N. Bongo
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo. and Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gbado-Lite, P.O.Box 111, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Benjamin Z. Gbolo
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo. and Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gbado-Lite, P.O.Box 111, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jason T. Kilembe
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Domaine T. Mwanangombo
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Clement M. Mbadiko
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Shetonde O. Mihigo
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Dorothée D. Tshilanda
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Koto-Te-Nyiwa Ngbolua
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo. and Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gbado-Lite, P.O.Box 111, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pius T. Mpiana *
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, P.O.Box 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Till now, no specific treatment is available for COVID-19. This work is carried out with the aim of verifying in the literature the antiviral properties of aromatic plants and essential oils that can justify their use against the causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2.
Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the usual databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central., Science Direct, SCIELO, DOAJ, Science alert, Semantic scholar and Google scholar.
Results: A survey of literature reveals that aromatic plants and their essential oils are active against a large number of viruses (Herpes virus-1, Herpes virus-2, HIV, Adeno virus, Hepatite B Virus, Enterovirus 71, JUNV, etc.) and even against SARS-CoV-1 which has 96% of the same genetic background with SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion: Aromatic plants and their essential oils exhibit high antiviral activities against several types of viruses. This evidence stemming from several experimental studies means that some compounds derived from essential oils could act as inhibitors of COVID-19.
Molecular docking investigations and pharmacoinformatics of some compounds derived from essential oils with SARS-CoV-2 protease are in progress to identify the potential inhibitors of the virus.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, aromatic plants, essential oil, antiviral activity.