Potential of Malawi’s medicinal plants in Covid-19 disease management: A review

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered
an international pandemic that has led to significant public health problems. To date, limited evidence exists to suggest that drugs
are effective against the disease. As possible treatments are being investigated, herbal medicines have shown potential for producing
novel antiviral agents for the COVID-19 disease.
Aim
This review explored the potential of Malawi’s traditional medicinal plants for the management of COVID-19.
Methods
The authors searched on PubMed and Google scholar for medicinal plants that are used in Malawi and published in openly available
peer reviewed journals. Plants linked with antiviral treatment, anti-COVID-19 activity or COVID-19 symptoms management were
targeted. These included activity against pneumonia, inflammation, cough, difficulty in breathing, pain/aches, fever, diarrhoea,
rheumatism, fatigue, asthma, immunocompromised and cardiovascular diseases.
Results
11 studies were found with 306 plant species. 127 plant species had at least one COVID-19 related pharmacological activity. Of these
plant species, the number of herbal entities used for each indication was: pain/aches (87), fever (2), pneumonia (9), breathing/asthma
problems (5), coughing (11), diarrhoea (1), immunosuppression (8), blood issues (10), fatigue (2), heart problems (11), inflammation
(8), rheumatism (10) and viral diseases (12). Thirty (30) species were used for more than one disease and Azedarachta indica topped
the list (6 of the 13 COVID-19 related diseases). The majority of the species had phytochemicals known to have antiviral activity or
mechanisms of actions linked to COVID-19 and consequent diseases’ treatment pathways.
Conclusion
Medicinal plants are a promising source of compounds that can be used for drug development of COVID-19 related diseases. This
review highlights potential targets for the World Health Organization and other research entities to explore in order to assist in
controlling the pandemic.