Correlation of trace elemental content in selected anti-viral medicinal plants as source of active molecules used against COVID-19 by ED-XRF techniqu: No

Abstract

The Corona virus causes severe acute respiratory syndrome -Corona virus-2019 (SARC-COVID-19). It is a positive sense RNA with an envelope of protien and has spread globally, leading to an increased death tools across the world. Currently, there is no effective drug for treatment and prevention of this disease. In this scenario, the only way to prevent the disease is the following certain safety guidelines and to boost up the immune system of body. The trace elements which are biologically essential for cellular process, growth and development, and boost up immune system. According to the previous studies, Covid-19 patients serum diagnostics tests illustrated the decreasing or increasing of some trace elements such as Zn, Ca, Se, Fe, Cu, and K. Alteration in the levels of these trace elements inhibits the activity of RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), causing the impairment of immune system, oxidative stress that increase the risk of mutation in the viral genome, and finally acquire COVID-19 properties and that can play on indirect role in the development of COVID-19 disease. In the present work, the trace elemental analysis was carried out in the leaves of two anti-viral medicinal plants Ocmium sanctum and Carica papaya by ED-XRF technique. 13 elements namely P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb and Sr were identified and their concentrations estimated in ppm level. Present research work revealed that six elements such as Zn, Se, Fe, K and Cu were found at high and notable content in both plant samples whereas low amount of Ca was found in Carica papaya when compared with NIST 1515. The results of the present study justify that the presence of some of these trace elements is correlated with the COVID-19 curative properties of these plants, since they are found to contain appreciable amount of the Zn, K, Se, Cu and Fe.