Chapters authored
Traditional Medicinal Plants as the Potential Adjuvant, Prophylactic and Treatment Therapy for COVID-19 Disease: A Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In an effort to combat the pandemic caused by COVID-19 disease, researchers have identified several traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) as potential adjuvant, prophylactic, and treatment for COVID-19. TMPs reported in this paper were identified based on the findings of molecular docking research and the documented traditional use of these plants for COVID-19-related symptoms, such as fever, coughing, headaches, and tiredness. Secondary metabolites with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activity against various SARS-CoV-2 proteases were also identified from the list of South African medicinal plants. This review discusses secondary metabolites of TMPs with pharmacological benefits, which contribute to the management of COVID-19, and these include Acacia Senegal, Artemisia afra, Aspalathus linearis, Clerodendrum splendens, Dioscorea batatas decne, Echinacea purpurea, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Xysmalobium undulatum, Tinospora crispa, Sutherladia frutescens, and Zingiber officinale.
Part of the book: Medicinal Plants
A Review on the Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Management of COVID-19 Disease in South African Children in Comparison to the World
The first case of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in South Africa (SA) was first reported at the beginning of March 2022, and then further spread from Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu Natal to the rest of the provinces. It is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In SA, COVID-19 is less prevalent in children less than 18 years. Only a few studies describe the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical manifestation of COVID-19 among children in SA in comparison to other countries including China, North America, and Europe. South African children are affected by conditions including poverty, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus which predispose them to COVID-19. Overcrowding and limited healthcare facilities and resources also complicated the diagnosis and clinical and pharmacological management of COVID-19 in SA. The current review discusses the prevalence, risk factors, and management of COVID-19 in South African children in comparison to other continents in the world.
Part of the book: Epidemiological and Clinico-Pathological Factors of COVID-19 in Children
A Review of South African Traditional Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Fungal Coinfections in COVID-19 Patients with Respiratory Diseases
Fungal infections are still most prevalent in the South African population. Fungal respiratory infections and diseases are the cause of severe clinical challenges and mortality in patients with compromised immune systems. Clinical signs of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) such as lung injury, hyperglycemia due to diabetes, host iron and zinc depletion, hypoxia, immunosuppression, steroid therapy, and long-term hospitalization predispose patients to opportunistic fungal infections. Fungal pathogens, including Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida species, cause coinfections in patients infected with (COVID-19), and this has a negative impact on the patients’ pharmacological management goals. Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida species cause respiratory infections and illnesses including pneumonia, pulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary candidiasis, and pulmonary cryptococcosis. South African traditional medicinal plants have been used in the treatment of respiratory symptoms and diseases caused by these fungal pathogens. Medicinal plants contain secondary metabolites possessing antifungal activity against Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida species. Moreover, medicinal plants are cheaper and easily accessible and are believed to be safe. This review documents the use of South African traditional medicinal plants including Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia afra, Dicoma anomala, Felicia species, Mentha species, Ruta graveolens, and Seasia erosa in the treatment of fungal infections and diseases caused by these pathogens.
Part of the book: Medicinal Plants