Introduction: COVID-19 is the current most affecting pandemic disease more than 200 countries. The rapid transmission of corona viral disease is a challenging and invention of an effective drug for its management is the need of the hour. Antiviral drugs, anti-pyretic drugs and immunomodulators are commonly used for the management of SARS CoV-2 infection in Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM). Siddha system of medicine which was indicated since ancient times to treat respiratory illnesses like cough, cold, dyspnoea may possibly have a significant effectiveness on prophylactic and symptomatic management. Ammaiyar Koondhal Kudineer (AKK) is a classical Siddha formulation, which was formulated by sage Therar for the management of vishakaichal (fever). This drug was taken into consideration to explore its antiviral effects. So, an attempt was made to explore the antiviral nature of AKK. The herbals formulated in this Siddha drug such as Cuscuta reflexa, Hemidesmus indicus, Evolvulus alsinoides etc., have pharmacologically proven antiviral properties. Conclusion: This review on its antiviral therapeutic value of AKK helped to bring a new insight to the management of COVID-19. Further preclinical and clinical evaluation will be helpful in ensuring more therapeutic benefits of AKK.

Introduction: Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) with acute pulmonary inflammation is one of the leading causes of death within pediatric intensive care unit. Although the mortality rate has reduced with the advent of lung protective ventilation and Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), no specific effective pharmacological treatment is available. This study aims to explore and substantiate the anti-viral potential of Siddha herbs for PARDS. Methods: Thorough survey of research studies from electronic databases and literature analysis of the Siddha texts was performed. The Symptomatology of acute respiratory distress syndrome is comparable to Vichinna Swasam described in Siddha pathology. Results: The viral induced primary pneumonia, the predominant cause of PARDS, could be managed by the use of anti-viral Siddha herbs, known to have inhibitive effects on the cytokine storm in viral progressive states. Various experimental studies that analyze the anti-inflammatory activity of Siddha herbs and their mechanism of action in attenuation or reversal of the acute lung injury caused by pro- inflammatory mediators have been tabulated. Conclusion: The consolidation of experiment knowledge with ethnopharmacological evidence of Siddha plants-based drugs can offer a novel platform for development of integrated anti-viral treatment modules for treating PARDS.

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.

Background: Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) are infections are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range; includes previously unrecognized diseases such as AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), ebola-haemorrhagic fever, nipah virus encephalitis, dengue fever and recent COVID-19 pandemic. Most pathogens involved in EID events are drug-resistant bacteria (54.3%), but virus constitute only 25.4% of EID events, in contrast to previous analyses which suggest that 37–44% of emerging pathogens are viruses and 10–30% bacteria. Metal-based nanoparticles accounts for their considerable interaction with bio molecules within the cell and on the cell surface. These unique properties make metal nanoparticles potential therapeutics for the treatment of infectious diseases Method: In Siddha system of medicine, Ulogankal (metals) are eleven in numbers; they are Thangam (gold), Velli (silver), Sembu (copper), Naagam (zinc), Ehgu (steel), Irumbu (iron), Pithalai (brass), Thara (alloy of copper and lead), Karuvangam (lead) and Velvangam (tin). This review focuses about the antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory activities of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) which were already quoted in the Siddha system of medicine. Result: Metal nanoparticles have sufficient physico-chemical properties and surface charges. This review revealed that the metal-based medicines have considerable potential to manage and to provide prophylactic support to the EIDs due to immune enhancing, anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-microbial properties. Conclusion: Nanoparticles utilization is “double-edged sword” providing positive advantages for usefulness and negative impacts on health upon exposure. So, the manufacture authentications, Specific guidelines for metal drugs handling for clinical practice, Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS), research rationales are essential for the metal based Siddha Medicines (Parpam, Chenduram and Chunnam) in this infection emerging period.