Can Costus afer be used for co-treatment of COVID-19, its symptoms and comorbidities? A novel approach for combating the pandemic and implications for sub-Saharan Africa
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.38.4.097
- Author:
Jannat, K.
1
;
Hasan, A.
1
;
Bondhon, T.A.
1
;
Mahboob, T.
2
;
Paul, A.K.
1
;
Jahan, R.
1
;
Nissapatorn, V.
2
;
Pereira, M.L.
3
;
Wiart, C.
4
;
Rahmatullah, M.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2. School of Allied Health Sciences, World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD) and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
3. CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
4. School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Costus afer;
COVID-19;
SARS-CoV-2;
molecular docking;
Aferoside C
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2021;38(No.4):540-551
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Despite the huge loss of lives and massive disruption of the world economy by the COVID-19
pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, scientists are yet to come out with an effective therapeutic
against this viral disease. Several vaccines have obtained ‘emergency approval’, but
difficulties are being faced in the even distribution of vaccines amongst high- and lowincome countries. On top of it, comorbidities associated with COVID-19 like diabetes,
hypertension and malaria can seriously impede the treatment of the main disease, thus
increasing the fatality rate. This is more so in the context of sub-Saharan African and south
Asian countries. Our objective was to demonstrate that a single plant containing different
phytoconstituents may be used for treatment of COVID-19 and comorbidities. Towards initial
selection of a plant, existing scientific literature was scanned for reported relevant traditional
uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of a number of plants and their
phytoconstituents pertaining to treatment of COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities.
Molecular docking studies were then performed with phytochemicals of the selected plant
and SARS-CoV-2 components – Mpro, and spike protein receptor binding domain and hACE2
interface using AutoDock Vina. We showed that crude extracts of an indigenous African
plant, Costus afer having traditional antidiabetic and antimalarial uses, has phytochemicals
with high binding affinities for Mpro, and/or spike protein receptor binding domain and
hACE2 interface; the various phytochemicals with predicted high binding energies include
aferoside C, dibutyl phthalate, nerolidol, suginal, and ±-terpinene, making them potential
therapeutics for COVID-19. The results suggest that crude extracts and phytochemicals of C.
afer can function as a treatment modality for COVID-19 and comorbidities like especially
diabetes and malaria.
- Full text:8.2021my1297.pdf
