Jatropha Multifida Linn.: A Significant Symptomatic Relief for COVID-19 Infection

Novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is causing a rapid increase in infected patients worldwide. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is highly complex involving suppression of host immune response, induction of oxidative stress followed by inflammation causing injury to lungs, pneumonia, and other health complications. Numerous health benefits have been attributed to a number of herbs belonging to the genus Jatropha of family, Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha multifida, a member of this family, is a multipurpose plant and has been traditionally used in African folk medicine for the treatment of pain, infection, tumour, and fever. Compounds Multififol and multifidol are two immunologically active acylploroglucinolls reported previously in this plant. Jatromulone, Jatrophodione A, Jatrophenols (I-III) reported from this plant have antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties while compound 14β & 15β- deoxy Jatrogrossidentadione has anti-malarial as well as anti-microbial properties. Phytochemical investigations of this plant revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, tannins and glycosides which codes for numerous biological actions as anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, analgesic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activities. Flavonoids, flavones, apigenin, vitexin, present in this plant which are known as excellent antioxidants, protecting lungs from oxidative stress, improving blood circulation, hence possess cardio protective properties. Anti-hypertensive action reported by this plant may cause relief in post COVID-19 heart complications. The present paper is pragmatic approach to accrue the various findings on this very significant plant relating to its relevant use in treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.