Antiviral Essential Oils Incorporated in Nanocarriers: Strategy for Prevention from COVID-19 and Future Infectious Pandemics
Authors: Kaur Malkiet , Devi Gayatri , Nagpal Manju , Singh Manjinder , Dhingra Gitika A. , Aggarwal Geeta 
Published: October 2020

Background:

Coronavirus has become a life-threatening disease and it is caused by severe
acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This new strain of coronavirus is not completely understood and
to date, there is no treatment for coronavirus. Traditional ayurvedic medicines, mainly essential oils
and Chinese herbs, have always played a vital role in the prevention and treatment of several epidemics
and pandemics. In the meantime, guidelines of the ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga, unani,
siddha and homoepathy) include a traditional medicinal treatment for flu and fever and also recommended
to boost immunity to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is not possible to find which essential
oil will offer the best level of protection. However, it is likely to assume that some essential
oils are likely to offer a measurable level of defense in the same way they do with many other known
viruses.

Methods:

Literature relevant to various essential oils having antiviral activity has been collected and
compiled. Various nanocarriers of essential oils have also been stated. The database was collected
using various search engines such as J-Gate, Google Scholar, Sci-Hub, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc.

Results:

Essential oils contain active constituents such as phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids,
phenyl propanoids, etc., which are responsible for their biological properties such as antiviral, antibacterial,
antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and many more. However, the use of essential oils has
always been limited due to poor solubility, solvent toxicity, volatility and low solubility. Many nanotechnology
based carriers especially, liposomes, dendrimers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsion and microemulsion,
etc. have been evidenced to overcome limitations associated with essential oils.

Conclusion:

Several essential oils possess potent antiviral activity and are characterized by fewer
side effects and are safe for human use. The nanocarrier systems of these oils have proved the potential
to treat viral and bacterial infections.

Lay Summary:

Current COVID-19 era demands traditional treatment for immunity boost up as support
therapy. Traditional ayurvedic medicines, mainly essential oils and Chinese herbs, have always
played a vital role in the prevention and treatment of several epidemics and pandemics. Therefore,
authors have summarized various essential oils having antiviral activity in current manuscript. Various
nanocarriers of essential oils have been reported. Essential oils contain active constituents such
as phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenyl propanoids, etc., which are responsible for
their biological properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity. However,
the use of essential oils has always been limited due to poor solubility, solvent toxicity, volatility
and low solubility. Many nanotechnology based carriers especially, liposomes, dendrimers, nanoparticles,
nanoemulsion and microemulsion, etc. have been evidenced to overcome limitations associated
with essential oils. The nanocarrier systems of these oils have proved the potential to treat viral
and bacterial infections.