The combination of ancient medicine along with new Bioinformatics is creating new chances in the field of drugs. In silico molecular docking techniques were used in a recent study ( In silico docking analysis revealed the potential of phytochemicals present in Phyllanthus amarus and Andrographis paniculata, used in Ayurveda medicine in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 | 3 Biotech | Springer Nature Link ) to investigate the possibility of Ayurvedic phytochemicals to overcome COVID-19. The compounds obtained after extracting medicinal plants like Phyllanthus amarus and Andrographis paniculata, like Geraniin, Corilagin, Furosin, etc., were tested against some important viral proteins, including the spike protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
The authors of this study have offered an important contribution to the scientifically validated traditional Ayurvedic knowledge by using computational techniques. Their study revealed that a number of plant-based compounds had high binding affinities, just like the established antivirals such as Remdesivir, thus highlighting the possible value of herbal medicine in contemporary medicine. In addition to satisfying the gap that exists between ancient practices and modern science, this study also stipulates further investigation and affirmation of Ayurvedic medicine through bioinformatics tools. Providing a new manufacturing focus to Ayurvedic medicine businesses.
The Author’s study helps to build validation to trust in traditionally used Ayurvedic medicine, which has fewer side effects. This would also benefit the Ayurvedic medicines manufacturers and workers.
What do you think about bioinformatics-based validation being enough to integrate Ayurvedic medicine into mainstream healthcare, or is clinical evidence still the ultimate benchmark?
MBH/AB