Abstract

Characterization of Essential Oils of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Their Effect on Pathogens and Possible Implication for the Treatment of COVID-19

Author(s): Adamski Adam*, Muhammad Akram, Mohamed M Amer

COVID-19 virus is one of the chest diseases that affect the respiratory system because of contamination through Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is utilized as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antibacterial, lipid lowering, analgesic and antipyretic. Therefore, Saussurea lappa clarke extracts can be used in the management of COVID-19. In this work, the original oil was extracted from Saussurea lappa (S. lappa) clarke by using hydro distillation apparatus and then subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis. Sums of twenty one composites were recognized and major compounds that were detected are the following: Costunolide (9.29%), ehydrocostus lactone (47.54%) and α-curcumene (4.33%). Anti-oxidant action against the standard 2 of crude extracts of the S. lappa was checked, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picryl-Hydrazyl (DPPH). he antibacterial activity against E coli and fungal strains were also assessed, and the plant extract showed greater results than the standard drug. The cytotoxicity of S. lappa essential oil was superior to crude extracts and significant results were obtained regarding metal chelation and minimum inhibitory concentration. During the qualitative and quantitative analysis, the compound β-pinene and δ-terpineol showed more percentage peak areas of 2.49% and 4.33% respectively than the previously reported percentage peak area. The iron chelation potential of the fundamental oil of S. lappa was determined using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS), which also showed remarkable results. Hence, the fundamental oil of S. lappa possesses excellent antibacterial activity, low cytotoxicity, iron chelation capacity and thus recommended for medicinal use against pathogens and for the potential treatment of COVID-19 . It has also been shown that α-and β-pinene type terpenes have broad health properties and can be used to treat COVID-19 as well as other medical diseases. However, clinical trials are needed to corroborate the efficacy for COVID-19 treatment.