Indian herb-derived phytoconstituents based antiviral formulation: An
oral rinse candidate for prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks
Abstract
Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge human
health. Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
(SARS-CoV-2), has triggered a global coronavirus pandemic, namely
COVID-19. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus are circulating and
raises question with respect to effectiveness of different lines of
treatment such as vaccines and antiviral drugs. To find appropriate
prevention/treatment, 21 plant-based ingredients were identified with
antiviral properties. We pseudo typed SARS-CoV-2 on a lentiviral vector
plasmid and tested the impact of five different herbal formulations in
mammalian HEK293T cells. Viral inactivation assay showed that the
natural extracts in herb-derived phytoconstituents based formulation,
BITS-003 comprising of Bacopa monnieri, Glycyerrhiza glabra,
Asparagus racemosus-wild, and Nigella sativa bear strong virucidal
properties, inactivating enveloped viruses from 2log10 (or 99%) to
>4log10 (or 99.99%). Moreover, bacterial and yeast cells
treated with BITS-003 displayed reduced growth. Topical use of
formulation as mouthwash/gargle will be effective in reducing symptoms
of respiratory viral infections with a potential to decrease viral load
in buccal/oral cavity. This may inhibit the coronavirus spreading to the
lungs of infected person and at the same time will reduce the risk of
viral transmission to other susceptible persons through micro-droplets
originating from the oral cavity of the infected person.