Medicinal plant vasaka could be a therapeutic option for the management of COVID-19 symptoms

Introduction: Corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak is a current pandemic that causes acute respiratory syndrome with huge mortality worldwide. The chief clinical features of COVID-19 is the presence of respiratory symptoms, with severe cardiovascular and renal complications in some patients. This study explores the potentiality of Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica Nees) in the prevention and management of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Vasaka is a well-known natural shrub in Ayurveda system of medicine which has a beneficial effects, particularly in respiratory disorders.Methods: First, we reviewed various researches on Vasaka, and its use in the management of respiratory system related diseases, viral diseases and other diseases in various journals and Ayurveda classical texts. Second, a survey based study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Vasaka in the prevention and management of respiratory related problems.Results: The literature review revealed that Vasaka has been widely studied for its pharmacological activities. It has various action like antiviral, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antitubercular and antioxidant. The survey results of the study indicated that only 15% of the sampled respondents used Vasaka in the treatment of respiratory related diseases. Nevertheless, among the respondents who used the plants, 97% stated that the use of Vasaka was useful in the treatment of diseases. Interestingly, 36.4% of the sampled respondents reported that they were completely recovered from the respiratory related diseases.Conclusions: Due to Vasaka multi-modal therapeutic effects and the findings from the survey-based research indicate the potentiality of its use in the management of COVID-19 symptoms.