The potential of Panax notoginseng against COVID-19 infection

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world and has presented the scientific community with unprecedented challenges. Infection is associated with overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines secondary to hyperactivation of the innate immune response, inducing a cytokine storm and triggering multiorgan failure and significant morbidity/mortality. No specific treatment is yet available. For thousands of years, Panax notoginseng has been used to treat various infectious diseases. Experimental evidence of P. notoginseng utility in terms of alleviating the cytokine storm, especially the cascade, and improving post-COVID-19 symptoms, suggests that P. notoginseng may serve as a valuable adjunct treatment for COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• Panax notoginseng
• COVID-19
• cytokine storm
• potential therapeutics