*Nigella Sativa* Immunomodulatory Activity as a Potential Treatment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) - A Review of Current Literature

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely spreading all over the world since the beginning of 2020. World Health Organization, on January 30^th^ 2020, declared the spread of COVID-19 to be a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC). As of March 25^th^ 2020, 414,179 cases and 18,440 deaths due to COVID-19 had been reported worldwide. The disease is transmitted via inhalation or contact with infected droplets. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days and can reach up to 21 days. Many people are asymptomatic. The estimated fatality rate ranges from 2%−3%. Special molecular tests are being used to detect the virus in respiratory secretions. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein have been detected in the blood sample, while the white blood cell counts were considered normal. The computerized tomographic chest scan is usually abnormal even in those with no symptoms or mild disease. Current treatment options are essentially supportive, as the role of antiviral agents is yet to be established. Preventative measures can be utilized to slow the spread of infection, such as isolation of suspected cases or those with mild symptoms and strict infection control measures at hospitals. Though the virus is far more infectious than its two ancestors, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), 2019-nCoV has a lower mortality rate. To date, the impact of this pandemic is uncertain, and the global research community is working diligently to find a satisfactory therapy. Several reports on *Nigella sativa* have been published, motivating us to review recent publications to summarize and investigate its possible therapeutic effect on the immune response and its potential to treat bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. For the advanced stage of the disease, we suggest using biological targeted magnetic hyperthermia. This can be used as adjuvant therapy, namely pseudo- adjuvant magnetic hyperthermia (PAMH).