Use of turmeric against COVID-19 in Nsukka; the need for massive farming

Abstract

Nsukka (Enugu North Senatorial District) Nigeria has been one of the places known for traditional medicine and the use of local plants for curing various difficult diseases and ailments. Upon declaration of COVID-19 as pandemic without confirmed curative measures, Nsukka people resorted to the use of herbal plants of which Turmeric alone or in combination with other plants was highly noted. The use of turmeric in the management of COVID-19 was reviewed towards encouraging the use and massive cultivation in Nsukka land. The phytochemical components of turmeric reveal α- and β-turmerones, ar-turmerone, alpha-Atlantone (C₁₅H₂₂O) cineole, d- phellandrene, α-phellandrene, curlone, zingiberene, ar-curcumene, d-sabinene, borneol, terpinolene, 1, 8-cineole, undecanol, and p-cymene. The micronutrients found are Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Vitamins A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5, B6, B9, Folate, C (Ascorbic Acid), E, K, while the macronutrients include carbohydrates, fibre, lipids (omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9), and proteins and other are alkaloids, anthraquinones, curcumin, cyclo-curcumin, cardiac glycosides, demethoxycurcumin, bis-demethoxycurcumin, tannins, terpenes, steroids, saponins, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, saponins, quinones, and flavonoids. Based on the composition of turmeric, it has shown many benefits in the management of several viral diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1&2), Influenza, herpes simplex virus (HSV-1&2), Coxsackievirus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), human T-lymphotropic virus-1 or human T-cell leukemia-lymphoma virus-1 (HTLV-1),  and acts against various pathogenic bacteria, including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Helicobacter pylori, Bacillus subtilis, and Vibrio cholera. Therefore, turmeric could be used to manage COVID-19 as some literature have reported showing tremendous medicinal benefits such as phlegmagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and blood purifier capacities and above all very effective in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs), acute lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis. Alternative medicine researchers should work more on this plant towards encouraging commercial farming of the plant in Nsukka land and to curtail the spread or manage the novel coronavirus disease in Nsukka and across the globe. Eating/drinking of turmeric alone or together with other plants enriched with vitamin C could be useful towards prophylaxis or management measures in COVID-19 cases. Farming of Turmeric in Nsukka land should be encouraged considering its medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and spicy values.