The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease-causing respiratory ailment affecting the lungs caused by a novel strain of virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Corona viruses are a group of viruses found in many species including cattle, camel and bats which is responsible for the outbreak and respiratory illness (1). The Virus has a main presenting symptom which is pneumonia and is suspected of having originated from a local sea-food market whose source is an unknown animal most likely assumed to be bat for being responsible for the emergence and spread of the novel strain of the Coronavirus (2).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) along with the Scientists have adopted using alternative traditional medicine which has benefits and working with institutions in selecting the traditional medicines which are showing high level of efficacy in clinical trials and using it as a treatment against covid-19 (3, 4, 5).
The immune system is a strong protection against foreign pathogens and by boosting it, we can strengthen the line of defense. We can avoid the immune weakening food and instead add immune boosting food to our diet. This will avoid our body to be in a state of inflammation which further weakens our immune system. Avoid processed food, dairy, trans fat and excessive carbohydrates. Increase daily consumption of plant-based food to increase antioxidants in the body and combat oxidative stress which will boost mitochondrial and cellular functions. Spices are highly antioxidant and immune protective (6).
We have chosen ‘Trikadu’, for this study is a mixture of three acrids Ginger (Zingiber official Roscoe), Pepper (Piper nigrum) and Long Pepper (Piper longum) due to their extensive anti-oxidant properties as well as anti-inflammation. The active components of these phytocompounds help in boosting the immune system by minimizing the inflammation and the combination of these effective phytocompounds can be used as potential agents in combating the virus and aiding in faster recovery. Herbs are still found in 40% of the prescribed medicines from doctors and the interest in using herbal remedies is preferred over chemical drugs due to less side effects in humans as it is in accordance with nature in its raw composition (7).
Ginger belongs to the family Zingiberaceae is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used as a medicinal product that is herbal in nature and which also shares similarities with anti-inflammatory drugs that are non-steroidal in nature. Extracts of Ginger consists of a complex multicomponent mixture of biologically active components including compounds which are structurally similar like gingerols, paradols and shogaols accounts majorly for the anti-inflammatory properties(8).
Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a native plant to the tropical regions of India and is also known as the “King of Spices”. It is used in Ayurveda, Unani and siddha for thousands of years. According to Ayurveda, the pungency and the heating properties of the pepper help in metabolizing food as it helps in digesting it. The heat acts as a stimulant which clears congestion in the Respiratory System (9).
Long Pepper is used in the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine. It is most commonly used to treat diarrhoea, cholera, stomachache and respiratory infections. Long pepper is closely related to P.nigrum and comparatively has a hot flavour. The odour is peculiar and produces a very strong pungent taste which leaves the tongue numb. The piperine content is around 3-5% in P. longum (10).
Coumarin (2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one) comprises phenolic substances which are found in plants. They are used in essential oils, green tea and chicory. It is a constituent of Pepper plant and is used in anti-inflammatory activity, anti-coagulant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and anticancerous. They have wide pharmacological uses and can be used as a novel therapeutic target for ailments (11). .Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemthoxycurcumin are the ingredients of long pepper. It has potential for curing many diseases affecting the liver, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's. It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Demethoxycurcumin and Bismethoxycurcumin give the yellow colour to the plant (12).
The Spike protein mediates the fusion of the viral and host membrane which contains a Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) that attaches itself to the cell during the entry of the Virus (13). The receptor of SARS-CoV-2 is an Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE-2). The Spike proteins involved in the cycle of virus include 6lxt which is an enveloped protein that plays a role in budding, fusion of envelope and pathogenesis that are involved in the life cycle of virus (14). 6M71 protein is a SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA-Dependant RNA Polymerase in complex with cofactors. The RNA Dependant RNA polymerase is the central component of the viral replication and transcription machinery, it is also appeared to be the primary target of the antiviral drug remdesivir (15, 16)
Hence these two proteins are selected to perform In-silico analysis using Molecular docking with the 11 Bio-Active components (Ligands) of the three spices to study their potential therapeutic effectiveness and the scope of using it as an immune-booster in combating the virus and an effective alternative remedy with no side-effects in case of immuno-suppressed individuals too.