| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 3 | Page : 19-27 |
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Potential Pharmacological Basis of Zinc Based Siddha Formulations for Handling COVID like Illness - An Overview
S Vinayak1, Eugene Wilson1, R Gayatri2, P Sathiyarajeswaran3, Shyamala Rajkumar1, S Selvarajan1, K Kanakavalli1
1 Central Council for Research in Siddha (Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Chennai - 600 106, India
2 Traditional Knowledge and Digital Library (TKDL), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Adyar, Chennai 600 020, India
3 Siddha Central Research Institute (CCRS, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Chennai - 600 106, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
S Vinayak
Central Council for Research in Siddha (Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Chennai - 600 106
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Introduction: In the wake of dreadful pandemics affecting the global population, there is much focus on traditional medical systems. Siddha medicine advocates the use of plain herbal therapy, mineral therapy or its combination in managing diseases of epidemic nature. Zinc based Siddha formulations are widely gaining popularity in Medical practices due to its multidimensional applicability in numerous disease conditions. In Siddha system, there is still limited knowledge on its usage in communicable diseases. This study was aimed at critically appraising various scientific literatures concerned with the pharmacological aspects of zinc in terms of its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties so that rationality of its use in managing COVID-19 like epidemic illness can be substantiated. Results: There is much evidence in the scientific field that proves the choice of zinc formulations for treating various infections particularly of viral origin. Traditionally, zinc metal has been promoted in Siddha medicine as a wonder element to treat sexually transmitted diseases associated with immune compromised status. Naga Parpam (NP), the zinc based nano dosage form in Siddha medicine is acclaimed for its indicative role in treating respiratory affections with or without infectious background. The main compound of NP, zinc oxide (ZnO) exists in nano range, decides the therapeutic outcome of the drug owing to its fine biocompatibility and targeted action in cellular levels without resulting in any toxicity. The mechanism which the zinc ions act in response to any pathogenic assaults of viral origin includes direct competitive inhibition of important cellular target receptors of the virion, stimulation of local host immune responses and many other systematic cellular responses like oxidant radical scavenging. Conclusion: The review justifies the motive of introducing zinc based Siddha formulations like NP as one of the front-line choices for preventing COVID-19 like epidemics for further validation through preventive clinical trials.
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