Title:Are Herbal-peptides Effective as Adjunctive Therapy in Coronavirus
Disease COVID-19?
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Author(s): Elahe Aleebrahim-Dehkordi, Faezeh Soveyzi, Shirin Saberianpour and Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei*
Affiliation:
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of
Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Keywords:
Herbal-peptides, adjunctive therapy, antiviral peptides, ACE2 receptor function, plant peptides, COVID-19.
Abstract:
Background: Plant antiviral peptides (AVP) are macromolecules that can inhibit the
pathogenesis of viruses by affecting their pathogenic mechanism, but most of these peptides can
bind to cell membranes, inhibit viral receptors, and prevent viruses. Recently, due to the
coronavirus pandemic, the availability of appropriate drugs with low side effects is needed. In this
article, the importance of plant peptides in viral inhibition, especially viral inhibition of the
coronavirus family, will be discussed.
Methods: By searching the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the latest articles on
plant peptides effective on the COVID-19 virus were collected and reviewed.
Results: Some proteins can act against the COVID-19 virus by blocking sensitive receptors in
COVID-19, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The 23bp sequence of the ACE2
alpha receptor chain can be considered as a target for therapeutic peptides. Protease and RNAP
inhibitors and other important receptors that are active against COVID-19 should also be
considered.
Conclusion: Herbal medicines with AVP, especially those with a long history of antiviral effects,
might be a good choice in complement therapy against the COVID-19 virus.