Investigation on anti-Corona viral potential of Yarrow tea

Abstract

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) is a herbaceous plant of Greek origin noted to treat pneumonia, common cold, cough, and other respiratory disorders. The flowers and leaves are the core part used to prepare herbal tea that gains the world's recognition as medicinal tea. Coronavirus disease is spreading across the globe, and numerous approaches are lodged to treat virus-induced lung inflammation. Here, we used the network pharmacology, metabolite analysis, docking and molecular simulation and MM-PBSA analysis to comprehend the biochemical basis of the health-boosting impact of Yarrow tea. Next, we performed the microscopic and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis of yarrow-treated ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 to evaluate the virucidal activity of the Yarrow. The present study investigates the druggability, metabolites and potential interaction of the title tea with genes associated with Covid-19-induced pathogenesis. Towards this, 1022 gene hits were obtained, 30 are mutually shared. Network Pharmacology and microarray gene expression analysis find the connection of PTGS2 in relieving the virus-induced inflammation. Yarrow constituents Luteolin may inhibit or down-regulate the Cyclooxygenase II (PTGS2), a plausible mechanism underlying the Yarrow's anti-inflammatory actions. Further, the Yarrow's virucidal activity was assessed towards Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM). The Yarrow treated SARS-nCoV-2 cell exhibits the disintegration of the virus membrane. This work provides a scientific basis for further elucidating the mechanism underlying Achillea millefolium's antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Graphical Abstract

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Keywords:

• Coronavirus
• ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
• PTGS2
• the disintegration of virus membrane
• Transmission Electron Microscopy

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of Dr Manisha Balwani for providing the expelled doses of Covishield, a much-desired material to prove the Yarrow's virucidal activity.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

The authors are thankful to P.D Patel Institute of Applied Science (CHARUSAT) for providing the necessary facilities.