AN INSIGHT INTO POTENTIAL PHYTOPHARMACEUTICALS FOR COVID-19:

Novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has triggered respiratory disease outbreak worldwide and is affecting more than 200 countries.  This pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 can have serious complications not only on the respiratory system but also affects the heart and nervous system. Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and the vaccine administration isalso in their trial stages in healthcare workers. The non-specific drugs recommended for COVID-19 that have shown efficacy are Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Lopinavir, Tocilizumab, Darunavir, Chloroquine, Interferon-alpha, Favipiravir, Umifenovir, Corticosteroids, etc. However, their disadvantages are their adverse effects like fatigue, extrapyramidal disorders, vertigo, ataxia, confusion, neurosis, seizure, etc. Natural plants have shown promising antiviral and immunomodulatory effects which are now being validated on experimentalmodels. The objective of our research study is to focus on the phytopharmaceuticals that can contribute to the prevention and control of COVID-19. For achieving this target, a survey questionnaire was also designed and circulated to the community to understand the extent of the usage of herbs in management of COVID-19.