Can Costus afer be used for co-treatment of COVID-19, its symptoms and comorbidities? A novel approach for combating the pandemic and implications for sub-Saharan Africa

Trop Biomed. 2021 Dec 1;38(4):540-551. doi: 10.47665/tb.38.4.097.

Abstract

Despite the huge loss of lives and massive disruption of the world economy by the COVID -19 pandemic caused by SARS -CoV-2, scientists are yet to come out with an effective therapeutic against this viral disease . Several vaccines have obtained 'emergency approval ', but difficulties are being faced in the even distribution of vaccines amongst high- and low- income countries . On top of it, comorbidities associated with COVID -19 like diabetes, hypertension and malaria can seriously impede the treatment of the main disease, thus increasing the fatality rate . This is more so in the context of sub -Saharan African and south Asian countries . Our objective was to demonstrate that a single plant containing different phytoconstituents may be used for treatment of COVID -19 and comorbidities . Towards initial selection of a plant, existing scientific literature was scanned for reported relevant traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of a number of plants and their phytoconstituents pertaining to treatment of COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities. Molecular docking studies were then performed with phytochemicals of the selected plant and SARS-CoV-2 components - Mpro, and spike protein receptor binding domain and hACE2 interface using AutoDock V ina. We showed that crude extracts of an indigenous African plant, Costus afer having traditional antidiabetic and antimalarial uses, has phytochemicals with high binding affinities for Mpro, and /or spike protein receptor binding domain and hACE2 interface; the various phytochemicals with predicted high binding energies include aferoside C, dibutyl phthalate, nerolidol, suginal, and ± -terpinene, making them potential therapeutics for COVID -19. The results suggest that crude extracts and phytochemicals of C. afer can function as a treatment modality for COVID -19 and comorbidities like especially diabetes and malaria .

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Binding Sites
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Comorbidity
  • Coronavirus 3C Proteases
  • Costus* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Pandemics
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

Substances

  • Phytochemicals
  • Plant Preparations
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Coronavirus 3C Proteases