Rationalistic approach in COVID-19 prevention through intervention of Unani medicine prevalent in epidemic - A review.

Introduction: A novel coronavirus virus (2019-nCoV) emerged in China in December 2019 and achieved a high-risk category by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial symptoms included fever, cough, dyspnea, and sore throat. The present review aims to evaluate the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of herbal drugs and formulations in the prevention of (epidemic diseases) having resemblance to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Sources of data for this paper are classical textbooks, pharmacopeia of India, , and published articles in various reputed peer-reviewed journals. Collected information was then critically analyzed.

Results: Despite great efforts, no specific treatment has been discovered for coronavirus yet. The best choices, therefore, are prevention and management. The system of medicine offers health protection during epidemics. Three important interventions practised during an outbreak are (i) purification of the environment by using certain herbal drugs as fumigants which include vinegar (acetic acid) alone or combined with Regel; (ii) promotion of health and immune modulation by using the pharmacopoeial preparations and

Conclusion: Several single drugs, as well as compound formulations, have been recommended in medicine for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The pharmacopoeial preparation has been used for respiratory catarrhal inflammations and influenza by of the medieval period. Scientific research on these drugs reveals the presence of many pharmacologically active substances possessing significant antiviral, antipyretic, anti-tussive, and immune-modulatory properties, which can give new insight into infection and epidemic management.