Tropical Food Spices: A Promising Panacea for the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious fatal disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) with millions of individuals infected globally within few months of its outbreak. During infection, the SARS-CoV-2 main protease binds directly to Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of the human host cells, most especially in the lungs where it replicates and causes respiratory infections. Currently, there is neither universally recommended nor approved treatment for the morbid disease caused by this virus. Therefore, the urgent need for therapy has led to the use of medicinal plants such as tropical food spices which have been previously used as antivirals. Thus, this review described the coronaviruses, the causative virus of COVID-19, the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV-2 infection, health complications in COVID-19, the general importance of tropical spices, the potential beneficial role of tropical spices as potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 and the mechanisms of action of some selected tropical spices: turmeric, onion, garlic, red chille pepper, black pepper and cinnamon; based on prior knowledge of their medicinal values. This might help to promote the use of spices and/or their isolated compounds as functional foods, nutraceuticals and potent alternative medicines to provide fast optimal relief or cure for COVID-19.