Effect of herbal compounds on coronavirus; a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#alkaloids #antiviral-agents #humans #plant-extracts #sars-cov-2

Effect of herbal compounds on coronavirus; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kesheh et al., 2022 | Virol J | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kesheh Mina Mobini, Shavandi Sara, ... Ramezani Fatemeh. Effect of herbal compounds on coronavirus; a systematic review and meta-analysis. Virol J. 2022-May-21;19(1):87. doi:10.1186/s12985-022-01808-z

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus (COVID-19) has been transmitted exponentially. Numerous studies have been performed in recent years that have shown the inhibitory effect of plant extracts or plant-derived compounds on the coronavirus family. In this study, we want to use systematic review and meta-analysis to answer the question, which herbal compound has been more effective? MAIN BODY: The present study is based on the guidelines for conducting meta-analyzes. An extensive search was conducted in the electronic database, and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, articles were selected and data screening was done. Quality control of articles was performed. Data analysis was carried out in STATA software. CONCLUSION: Due to the variety of study methods, definitive conclusions are not possible. However, in this study, we attempted to gather all the available evidence on the effect of plant compounds on SARS-COV-2 to be used for the development and use of promising antiviral agents against this virus and other coronaviruses. Trypthantrin, Sambucus extract, S. cusia extract, Boceprevir and Indigole B, dioica agglutinin urtica had a good effect on reducing the virus titer. Also among the compounds that had the greatest effect on virus inhibition, Saikosaponins B2, SaikosaponinsD, SaikosaponinsA and Phillyrin, had an acceptable selectivity index greater than 10. Andrographolide showed the highest selectivity index on SARS-COV-2. Our study confirmed insufficient data to support alkaloid compounds against SARS-COV-2, and the small number of studies that used alkaloid compounds was a limitation. It is recommended to investigate the effect of more alkaloid compounds against Corona virus.

Key Findings

Due to the variety of study methods, definitive conclusions are not possible. However, in this study, we attempted to gather all the available evidence on the effect of plant compounds on SARS-COV-2 to be used for the development and use of promising antiviral agents against this virus and other coronaviruses. Trypthantrin, Sambucus extract, S. cusia extract, Boceprevir and Indigole B, dioica agglutinin urtica had a good effect on reducing the virus titer. Also among the compounds that had the g

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Alkaloids
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: elderberry

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09