COVID-19: an In Silico Analysis on Potential Therapeutic Uses of Trikadu as Immune System Boosters

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2022 Jan;194(1):291-301. doi: 10.1007/s12010-021-03793-5. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Abstract

Corona virus pandemic outbreak also known as COVID-19 has created an imbalance in this world. Scientists have adopted the use of natural or alternative medicines which are consumed mostly as dietary supplements to boost the immune system as herbal remedies. India is famous for traditional medicinal formulations which includes 'Trikadu'-a combination of three acrids, namely Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum and Piper longum which have antioxidant properties that boost our immune system hence acting as a strong preventive measure. In this study, AutoDock 4.0 was used to study interaction between the phytocompounds of Trikadu with RNA-dependent polymerase protein and enveloped protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Analysis of the results showed that coumarin, coumaperine and bisdemethoxycurcumin showed strong bonding interactions with both the proteins. We can conclude that Trikadu has the potential molecules; hence, it can be incorporated in the diet to boost the immune system as a preventive measure against the virus.

Keywords: Ginger; Immune response; Long pepper; Pepper; Protein–ligand interactions; SARS-coV-2; Trikadu.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / chemistry
  • Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / drug effects
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects
  • India
  • Ligands
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Phytochemicals / chemistry
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Piper / chemistry
  • Piper nigrum / chemistry
  • Plant Preparations / isolation & purification
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry
  • SARS-CoV-2* / chemistry
  • SARS-CoV-2* / drug effects
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / drug effects
  • Zingiber officinale / chemistry

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Ligands
  • Phytochemicals
  • Plant Preparations
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Coronavirus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • NSP12 protein, SARS-CoV-2