Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID -19) is a new zoonotic coronary system RNA virus that is highly infectious and has resulted in many deaths globally. Traditional medicines have been in use over decades in many parts of the World for management of different health disorders. The aim of this study was to carry out phytochemical analysis of two main herbal supplements registered by Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board and used for management of COVID-19 as herbal treatment named: Antiviral H and Immune Booster (IMB). An experimental study to evaluate the phytochemical profile of Antivir H and IMB herbal combinations of natural products was carried out in a laboratory to assess their phytochemical profiles. Mixed herbal powders for Antivir-H and IMB were screened to determine the presence of different classes of compounds. The powders were extracted in organic and inorganic solvents. The Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) fingerprinting of the extracts were carried out to determine the phytochemical profiles. Results revealed that methanol-dichloromethane (DCM) of Antivir H had moderate presence of phenols, tannins and quinones while the aqueous extracts of the same show a high presence of flavonoids, phenols and saponins with moderate steroids. Methanol DCM extracts of IMB showed high levels of alkaloids with moderate phenols, tannins and quinones while aqueous extracts of IMB showed a high level of flavonoids, phenols and saponins with moderate tannins. In conclusion, most compounds were extractable using distilled water. However, the products are consumed wholesome orally and hence patients benefit from all the phytochemical compounds composed in the drug.
Keywords: Antivir-H, IMB, Phytochemical, Analysis, COVID – 19, Herbal Supplements.