Medicinal plants (MP) have been proposed to mitigate common signs and symptoms of COVID-19, but there is no evidence to directly fight the SARS-CoV-2. However, the symptoms that are usually managed by MP are those common to flu-like syndromes. Several researchers groups in the world target on this line of action, but with the advent of the vaccine getting closer, what is the future of this line of research with MP? In my opinion, flu-like syndromes are continually up-to-date, so the research line should continue as well as the research lines that look for new (or old) chemical entities from MP that fight the SARS-CoV-2, after all other similar virus infections seem likely in a timeless horizon.
Lucindo José Quintans-Júnior
Dear Researcher,
Under the circumstances of COVID-19, this topic of discussion is of significant value. You have talked about the vaccine for this disease. Regarding the vaccine there are two angles of thought. One is biological and research oriented. I am failing to understand why the whole world is so much obsessed with the vaccine. I am saying this because there are no real signs of its arrival. The research for a vaccine takes at least three to five years. I really don't think the vaccine will appear before 2023-24. The other angle, that I was talking about is the business angle. I don't think once this vaccine is developed, it will reach to all the people in the world. I am so much confident about man's ego. Therefore, we cannot stop COVID-19. What medicinal plants will allow us to do so is manage this disease and that also at a very cheap cost.
I don't think that we are coming out of this pandemic that easily and quickly. At least right now, when I am writing this answer, there are no real signs. So we have to boost our immunity. For that we can use the medicinal plants. This is particularly applicable for developing economies. I think your idea about the medicinal plants is fantastic. The future of the study of such types of plants is bright.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Anamitra.
Thank you, Dr Anamitra, for share your opinion with us.
I do not see the end of this pandemic with the vaccine because as different studies have shown that COVID-19 is becoming an endemic disease, so we will live with it. My focus is on the specific treatment of symptoms using MP or main compound from them. Another point, I respectfully disagree that the use of MP is from developing economies. For example, USA and Europe are access markets for products derived from MP. It is an expanding market with values in the order of billions of dollars.
Finally, I agree with you about the challenges that are yet to come with COVID-19. It is not a won challenge, but there is still a long way to go.
Best regards.
Lucindo
