Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge as a Potential Natural Compound against COVID‐19

Abstract

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, commonly called danshen, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its cardiovascular and neuroprotective effects, which include antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preclinical potential of S. miltiorrhiza extracts for the treatment of COVID‐19. First, the impact of the extract on the binding between SARS‐CoV‐2 and the cellular ACE2 receptors was assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing a significant reduction in binding by the extract at concentrations in the μg/mL range. Second, the interference of this extract with the inflammatory response of blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined, demonstrating potent inhibitory properties in the same concentration range on pro‐inflammatory cytokine release and interference with the activation of NFκB signaling. Together, these in vitro data demonstrate the potential of S. miltiorrhiza against COVID‐19, consisting first of the blockade of the binding of SARS‐CoV‐2 to the ACE2 receptor and the mitigation of the inflammatory response from leukocytes by interfering with NFκB signaling. This dataset prompts the launch of a clinical trial to address in vivo the clinical benefits of this promising agent.