Larrea divaricata a native Argentine plant with potential activity against SARS-CoV-2?

Abstract

Larrea divaricata Cav. is an autochthonous South American plant popularly used in inflammatory and infectious diseases with reported anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Covid-19 is an infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus can cause pneumonia and even death in about 5% of the cases. The objective of the article was to demonstrate, through a literature review, that L. divaricata has sufficient attributes to be assayed against SARS-CoV-2. For this, the chemical composition, reported activities and docking studies were taken into account. This review demonstrated that the plant extracts are capable of inhibiting the proliferation of fungi, bacteria and viruses and that they exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions in different "in vitro" and "in vivo" models. These results suggest that the plant is a good candidate to be studied for the prevention and/or treatment of SARS -CoV-2.