Issue 4, 2024 of Current Medicinal Chemistry, a prominent PubMed-indexed journal, presents a groundbreaking review titled “Herbal Substances with Antiviral Effects: Features and Prospects for the Treatment of Viral Diseases with Emphasis on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines” (Bjørklund et al., 2024).

Authored by Dr. Geir Bjørklund, MD, founder and president of the Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM) in Norway, alongside international collaborators from universities in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania, this comprehensive examination sheds light on the promising role of herbal substances in combating viral diseases.

“In light of the ongoing challenges posed by viral outbreaks, it is imperative to explore novel avenues for antiviral therapy,” states Dr. Bjørklund. “Our review underscores the potential of herbal substances to serve as effective agents in this regard, particularly in modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and bolstering immune responses.”

The 21st century has witnessed the emergence of several novel coronaviruses, emphasizing the critical need for effective antiviral therapies. In their review, Bjørklund et al. (2024) highlight the potential of herbal substances with antiviral properties, mainly focusing on their influence on pro-inflammatory cytokines. By conducting comprehensive searches across various databases, including Science Direct, CABI Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, the authors elucidate the mechanisms of cytokine storm and its contribution to a pro-inflammatory response, as well as the subsequent mobilization of leukocytes, which serve as the first line of defense against viruses.

The review underscores the significance of herbal medicine candidates as immunomodulators or antivirals. While cytokine-storm-targeted therapy is recommended for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by SARS-CoV, herbal formulations show promise as alternative medicines, significantly reducing the severity of viral infections. Furthermore, they demonstrate potential as specific antiviral agents in experimental animal models.

“Herbal-based agents offer a promising avenue for treating common viral infections, including COVID-19, by modulating key molecular pathways associated with inflammation,” Dr. Bjørklund emphasizes. “These agents hold the potential to regulate the release and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby interfering with viral replication within host cells.”

Key findings from the paper highlight the ability of herbal medicine to stimulate immune responses for eradicating COVID-19. Bjørklund and colleagues conclude that several herbal-based agents may hold promise for treating common colds and flu by regulating the release and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Consequently, these agents could modulate molecular pathways associated with inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, CCL-2/MCP-1, and CXCL-10/IP-10 at the mRNA level, thereby interfering with the virus’s replication within host cells.

The authors stress the necessity for further preclinical and clinical trial investigations to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for treating COVID-19. Conducting comprehensive scientific studies may establish a robust foundation for integrating herbal remedies into mainstream medical practice, potentially offering valuable adjunctive therapies for combating viral diseases.

Vital Press

Reference

Bjørklund G, Lysiuk R, Semenova Y, Lenchyk L, Dub N, Doşa MD, Hangan T. Herbal substances with antiviral effects: Features and prospects for the treatment of viral diseases with emphasis on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31(4): 393-409. doi: 10.2174/0929867330666230125121758.