MEDICINAL PLANTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN MOZAMBIQUE: are they promising for a cure?
Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, medicinal plants, Mozambique
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been causing several deaths worldwide. So far, there is still no effective treatment for the disease. Under the monitoring of the World Health Organization, efforts are being made globally in order to develop vaccines and antiviral drugs that will provide effective prevention and treatment schemes. In Mozambique, a total of 3.395 cases and 20 deaths were reported until August 24, 2020. Bearing in mind that traditional medicine is still a predominant practice in the country, the role of medicinal plants in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 should be carefully analyzed. In this article we reflect on the role of medicinal plants in response to COVID-19 in Mozambique.
References
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BARBOSA, F. et al. Medicinal plants sold for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases in humans in Maputo city markets, Mozambique. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. v.20, n.19, p.1-13, 2020.
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BORKOTOKY, S. e BANERJEE, M. A computational prediction of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein inhibitors from Azadirachta indica (Neem). Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-17, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1774419.
CHAN, J.F. et al. A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster. The Lancet. v.395, n. 10223, p. 514–523, 2020.
CHIKHALE, R.V. et al. Sars-cov-2 host entry and replication inhibitors from Indian ginseng: an in-silico approach. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-12, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1778539.
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HEMMINKI, E. et al. Is selective prenatal iron prophylaxis better than routine prophylaxis: final results of a trial (PROFEG) in Maputo, Mozambique. BMJ Open. v.6, n. e011280, p.1-11, 2016.
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JANSEN, P. C. M.; DA SILVA, M. C. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 5. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 2001.
JAYAWARDENA, R. et al. Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome. v.14, n.4, p.367-382, 2020.
JULIEN, M. R. et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin A in Mozambican children hospitalized with nonmeasles acute lower respiratory tract infections. Tropical Medicine International Health. v.4, n.12, p.794-800, 1999.
KROG, M. P., FALCÂO, M. P., & OLSEN, C. S. Medicinal plant markets and trade in Maputo, Mozambique. Hørsholm: Christian Ejlers, 2006.
KUMAR, V. e JENA, M. In silico virtual screening-based study of nutraceuticals predicts the therapeutic potentials of folic acid and its derivatives against COVID-19. Research Square. Preprint, p.1-19, 2020.
MAGAIA, T. et al. Proximate Analysis of Five Wild Fruits of Mozambique. The Scientific World Journal, v.2013, n. 601435, p.1-6, 2013.
INDIA. MINISTRY OF AYUSH. Homeopathy for prevention of coronavirus infections. [online]. Available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1600895. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
MIRZAIE, A. et al. A narrative literature review on traditional medicine options for treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. v.40, n. 101214, p.1-8, 2020.
MURUGAN, N.A.; PANDIAN, C.J. e JEYAKANTHAN, J. Computational investigation on Andrographis paniculata phytochemicals to evaluate their potency against SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to known antiviral compounds in drug trials. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-12, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1777901.
NHAMA, A. et al. In vivo efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children: a multisite, open-label, two-cohort, clinical trial in Mozambique. Malaria Journal. v.13, n.309, p.1-9, 2014.
OLIVEIRA, J.S. e DE CARVALHO, M.F. Nutritional value of some edible leaves used in Mozambique. Economic Botany. v.29, n.3, p. 255-263, 1975.
PARVEEN, A. et al. Challenges and guidelines for clinical trial of herbal drugs. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences. v.7, n.4, p. 329-333, 2015.
MOÇAMBIQUE. Resolução no 11/2004 de 14 de Abril. Política da Medicina Tradicional e Estratégia da sua Implementação. [online]. Available from: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/index.php/por/content/download/1512/12645/version/1/file/Pol%C3%ADtica+de+Medicina+Tradicional.pdf. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
RIBEIRO, A. et al. Ethnobotanical survey in Canhane village, district of Massingir, Mozambique: medicinal plants and traditional knowledge. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. v.6, n.33, p.1-15, 2010.
SANCHEZ, L. et al. Antibody responses to the RTS,S/AS01E vaccine and Plasmodium falciparum antigens after a booster dose within the phase 3 trial in Mozambique. NPJ Vaccines, v.5, n.46, p.1-16, 2020.
TRIPATHI, M.K. et al. Identification of bioactive molecule from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-14, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1790425.
Ul QAMAR, M.T. et al. Structural basis of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and anti-COVID-19 drug discovery from medicinal plants. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. [Pre-print], p.1-7, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2020.03.009.
VERZÁR, R. e PETRI, G. Medicinal plants in Mozambique and their popular use. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. v.19, n.1, p.67-80, 1987.
WHO. Clinical management of COVID-19: Interim guidance. 27 May 2020. 2020a. 62 p. [online]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1278777/retrieve. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
WHO. WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Geneva, 2019. 228 p. [online]. Available from: https://www.who.int/traditional-complementary-integrative-medicine/WhoGlobalReportOnTraditionalAndComplementaryMedicine2019.pdf?ua=1. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
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WHO. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023. Geneva, 2013. 76 p. [online]. Available from: https://www.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/92455/1/9789241506090_eng.pdf?ua=1. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
YANG, Y. Use of herbal drugs to treat COVID-19 should be with caution. The Lancet. v.395, n. 10238, p.1689-1690, 2020.
ZHAI, P. et al. The epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. v.55, n5, p.1-13, 2020.
AHMAD, S. et al. Molecular Docking, Simulation and MM-PBSA Studies of Nigella sativa Compounds: a computational quest to identify potential natural antiviral for COVID-19 Treatment. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-9, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1775129.
ALONSO, P. L. et al. Duration of protection with RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine in prevention of Plasmodium falciparum disease in Mozambican children: single-blind extended follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. v.366, n.9502, p.2012-2018, 2005.
ARONSON, J. K. Defining “nutraceuticals”: neither nutritious nor pharmaceutical. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. v.83, n.1, p.8-19, 2017.
AZIM, K. F. et al. Screening and druggability analysis of some plant metabolites against SARS-CoV-2: An integrative computational approach. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked. v.20, n. 100367, p.1-15, 2020.
BALACHANDAR, V. et al. COVID-19: emerging protective measures. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. v.24, n.6, p.3422-3425, 2020.
BANDEIRA, S.O.; GASPAR, F. e PAGULA, F.P. African ethnobotany and healthcare: emphasis on Mozambique. Pharmaceutical Biology. v.39, Suppl 1, p.70-73, 2001.
BARBOSA, F. et al. Medicinal plants sold for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases in humans in Maputo city markets, Mozambique. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. v.20, n.19, p.1-13, 2020.
BEN-SHABAT, S. et al. Antiviral effect of phytochemicals from medicinal plants: Applications and drug delivery strategies. Drug Delivery and Translational Research. v.10, n.2, p.354-367, 2020.
BORKOTOKY, S. e BANERJEE, M. A computational prediction of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein inhibitors from Azadirachta indica (Neem). Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-17, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1774419.
CHAN, J.F. et al. A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster. The Lancet. v.395, n. 10223, p. 514–523, 2020.
CHIKHALE, R.V. et al. Sars-cov-2 host entry and replication inhibitors from Indian ginseng: an in-silico approach. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-12, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1778539.
MOÇAMBIQUE. Decreto Presidencial n.o 11/2020 de 30 de Março, que Declara o Estado de Emergência, por razões de calamidade pública, em todo o território nacional. 2020. [online]. Available from: https://www.mic.gov.mz/por/content/download/6995/49639/version/1/file/BR.+Decreto+Presidencial.+n%C2%BA11.2020.de+30+de+Marc%CC%A7o.pdf. Accessed 29 June 2020.
DONMA, M.M. e DONMA, O. The effects of Allium sativum on immunity within the scope of COVID-19 infection. Medical Hypotheses. v.144, n. 109934, p.1-5, 2020.
FAOSTAT. Mozambique. [online]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#country/144. Accessed 29 June 2020.
GUPTA, L.M. e RAINA, R. Side Effects of Some Medicinal Plants. Current Science. v.75, n.9, p.897–900, 1998.
HEMMINKI, E. et al. Is selective prenatal iron prophylaxis better than routine prophylaxis: final results of a trial (PROFEG) in Maputo, Mozambique. BMJ Open. v.6, n. e011280, p.1-11, 2016.
JANSEN, P.C.M. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 1. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 1983.
JANSEN, P.C.M. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 2. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 1984.
JANSEN, P. C. M. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 3. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 1990.
JANSEN, P. C. M. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 4. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 1991.
JANSEN, P. C. M.; DA SILVA, M. C. e MENDES, O. Plantas Medicinais-Seu Uso Tradicional em Moçambique. Tomo 5. Maputo: Gabinete de Estudo da Medicina Tradicional, 2001.
JAYAWARDENA, R. et al. Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome. v.14, n.4, p.367-382, 2020.
JULIEN, M. R. et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin A in Mozambican children hospitalized with nonmeasles acute lower respiratory tract infections. Tropical Medicine International Health. v.4, n.12, p.794-800, 1999.
KROG, M. P., FALCÂO, M. P., & OLSEN, C. S. Medicinal plant markets and trade in Maputo, Mozambique. Hørsholm: Christian Ejlers, 2006.
KUMAR, V. e JENA, M. In silico virtual screening-based study of nutraceuticals predicts the therapeutic potentials of folic acid and its derivatives against COVID-19. Research Square. Preprint, p.1-19, 2020.
MAGAIA, T. et al. Proximate Analysis of Five Wild Fruits of Mozambique. The Scientific World Journal, v.2013, n. 601435, p.1-6, 2013.
INDIA. MINISTRY OF AYUSH. Homeopathy for prevention of coronavirus infections. [online]. Available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1600895. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
MIRZAIE, A. et al. A narrative literature review on traditional medicine options for treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. v.40, n. 101214, p.1-8, 2020.
MURUGAN, N.A.; PANDIAN, C.J. e JEYAKANTHAN, J. Computational investigation on Andrographis paniculata phytochemicals to evaluate their potency against SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to known antiviral compounds in drug trials. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-12, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1777901.
NHAMA, A. et al. In vivo efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in children: a multisite, open-label, two-cohort, clinical trial in Mozambique. Malaria Journal. v.13, n.309, p.1-9, 2014.
OLIVEIRA, J.S. e DE CARVALHO, M.F. Nutritional value of some edible leaves used in Mozambique. Economic Botany. v.29, n.3, p. 255-263, 1975.
PARVEEN, A. et al. Challenges and guidelines for clinical trial of herbal drugs. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences. v.7, n.4, p. 329-333, 2015.
MOÇAMBIQUE. Resolução no 11/2004 de 14 de Abril. Política da Medicina Tradicional e Estratégia da sua Implementação. [online]. Available from: http://www.portaldogoverno.gov.mz/index.php/por/content/download/1512/12645/version/1/file/Pol%C3%ADtica+de+Medicina+Tradicional.pdf. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
RIBEIRO, A. et al. Ethnobotanical survey in Canhane village, district of Massingir, Mozambique: medicinal plants and traditional knowledge. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. v.6, n.33, p.1-15, 2010.
SANCHEZ, L. et al. Antibody responses to the RTS,S/AS01E vaccine and Plasmodium falciparum antigens after a booster dose within the phase 3 trial in Mozambique. NPJ Vaccines, v.5, n.46, p.1-16, 2020.
TRIPATHI, M.K. et al. Identification of bioactive molecule from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics. [Pre-print], p.1-14, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1790425.
Ul QAMAR, M.T. et al. Structural basis of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and anti-COVID-19 drug discovery from medicinal plants. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. [Pre-print], p.1-7, 2020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2020.03.009.
VERZÁR, R. e PETRI, G. Medicinal plants in Mozambique and their popular use. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. v.19, n.1, p.67-80, 1987.
WHO. Clinical management of COVID-19: Interim guidance. 27 May 2020. 2020a. 62 p. [online]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1278777/retrieve. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
WHO. WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Geneva, 2019. 228 p. [online]. Available from: https://www.who.int/traditional-complementary-integrative-medicine/WhoGlobalReportOnTraditionalAndComplementaryMedicine2019.pdf?ua=1. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
WHO. WHO supports scientifically-proven traditional medicine. [online]. Available from: https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-supports-scientifically-proven-traditional-medicine. Accessed: 29 June 2020, 2020b.
WHO. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023. Geneva, 2013. 76 p. [online]. Available from: https://www.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/92455/1/9789241506090_eng.pdf?ua=1. Accessed: 29 June 2020.
YANG, Y. Use of herbal drugs to treat COVID-19 should be with caution. The Lancet. v.395, n. 10238, p.1689-1690, 2020.
ZHAI, P. et al. The epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. v.55, n5, p.1-13, 2020.
Published
2025-04-19
Section
Artigo de Revisão
