Hinokinin for COVID-19

The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has been transferred exponentially. There are many articles that have found the inhibitory effect of plant extracts or plant compounds on the coronavirus family. In this study, we want to use systematic review and meta-analysis to answer the question of which herbal compound can be more effective against the coronavirus. The present study is based on the guidelines for conducting meta-analyzes. An extensive search was conducted in the electronic database, and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, articles were selected and data screening was performed. Quality control of articles was performed. Data analysis was carried out in STATA software. The results showed that alkaloid compounds had a good effect in controlling the coronavirus and reducing viral titer. Trypthantrin, Sambucus extract, S. cusia extract, Boceprevir and Indigole B, dioica agglutinin urtica had a good effect on reducing the virus titer but their selectivity index has not been reported and it is recommended to determine for these compounds. Also among the compounds that had the greatest effect on virus inhibition, including Saikosaponins B2, SaikosaponinsD, SaikosaponinsA and Phillyrin, had an acceptable selectivity index greater than 10. Andrographolide showed the highest selectivity index on SARS-COV2, while virus titration and virus inhibition were not reported. The small number of studies that used alkaloid compounds was one of the limitations and it is suggested to investigate the effect of more alkaloid compounds against the coronavirus for verifying its effect.

Abstract: Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the recent pandemic and worldwide outbreak of respiratory disease. Since there are no known specific drugs for fighting this virus and the process for new drug development is lengthy, scientists have been trying to develop drugs against this viral infection. The potent antiviral activity of natural products has been confirmed in several previous studies. Viral and host proteins contributing to COVID-19 infections can be targeted by natural compounds derived from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms. The most important of these compounds are polyphenols (e.g., anthraquinone polyphenol, hinokinin, curcumin, and epigallocatechin gallate), alkaloids (e.g., isoquinoline, 10- hydroxyusambarensine, anisotine, and adhatodine), and terpenoids (salvinorin A, thymoquinone, bilobalide, ginkgolide A, and celastrol) from plants, sulphated polysaccharides (carrageenans, chondroitin sulfate C, and fucoidan) from marine organisms, and glycocin F and lactococcin G phycocyanin, and lipopeptide from microorganisms. This study reviews these compounds and their mechanism of action for treating COVID-19 infection and guides researchers in developing effective and safe therapeutic agents against this disease from naturally derived compounds.