Multifaceted roles of plant derived small molecule inhibitors on replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has affected public health and the economy globally. Currently approved vaccines and other drug candidates could be associated with several drawbacks which urges developing alternative therapeutic approaches. AIM: To provide a comprehensive review of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of plants and their bioactive compounds. METHODS: Information was gathered from diverse bibliographic platforms such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov registry. RESULTS: The present review highlights the potential roles of crude extracts of plants as well as plant-derived small molecules in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting viral or host factors essential for viral entry, polyprotein processing, replication, assembly and release. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as plant-based therapies that are under development in the clinical trial phases-1 to 3 are also covered. CONCLUSION: This knowledge could further help understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-viral mechanisms of plant-based therapeutics.