Preprint / Version 1

Ethnomedicinal herbs in African traditional medicine with potential activity for the prevention, treatment, and management of coronavirus disease 2019

Authors

  • Olutayo Adeleye Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria
  • Mbang Femi-Oyewo Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Oluyemisi Bamiro Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Lateef Bakre Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Akinyinka Alabi Department of Pharmacology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Joseph Ashidi Department of Plant Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Olalekan Balogun-Agbaje Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Oluwakemi Hassan Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State Nigeria
  • Gbemisola Fakoya Department of Pharmacology, University of Lagos, Lagos, Lagos State Nigeria

Keywords:

Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Traditional medicine, Ethnomedicinal herbs

Abstract

Ethnomedicine, a study of traditional medicine, is significant in drug discovery and development. African traditional medicine has been in existence for several thousands of years, and several drugs have been discovered and developed from it. Main text The deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 has widely spread globally with high mortality and morbidity. Its prevention, treatment and management still pose a serious challenge. A drug for the cure of this disease is yet to be developed. The clinical management at present is based on symptomatic treatment as presented by individuals infected and this is by combination of more than two drugs such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-microbials. Literature search was performed through electronic searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and several research reports including WHO technical documents and monographs. Conclusion Drug discovery from herbs is essential and should be exploited for the discovery of drugs for the management of COVID-19. This review is aimed at identifying ethnomedicinal herbs available in Africa that could be used for the discovery and development of a drug for the prevention, treatment, and management of the novel coronavirus disease 2019. Keywords: Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Traditional medicine, Ethnomedicinal herbs

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