Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SJMPS)
Volume-7 | Issue-07 | 291-294
Review Article
Stevia Rebaudiana as an Immunity Booster for COVID-19
Aayeena Altaf, Mohammad Umar Khan, Bhavna Jha, Raj Das, Manzoor Ganai
Published : July 3, 2021
Abstract
Stevia rebaudiana is a nutrient rich natural sweetest plant of Asteraceae family. The leaves naturally contain diterpene glycosides (Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A), steviobioside and dulcoside, which are responsible for its sweet taste. Along with these compounds it also contains functional compounds like phenolic acids, free radical scavenging and antioxidant capability, flavonoids, condensed tannins, anthocyanins, nutraceutical properties, etc. Stevia exhibits strong antioxidant potential as a sugar substitute owing to the presence of various compounds with medicinal significance. However, in large amounts they also possess several beneficial effects on disease in which radicals are involved. As there is no targeted Covid-19 therapy available, Stevia crude extracts and steviol glycosides are suggested to treat Covid-19 patients. Stevia has many pharmacological and therapeutic applications as suggested by many preclinical and some clinical studies, these are nontoxic and possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal and anticarcinogenic activity. Antioxidants through their scavenging power are useful for the management of various diseases that aids in combating different chronic diseases as well as increase immunity against the severity of various infections like in case of Covid-19. It is also generally accepted that consumption of 5gm dried Stevia leaves is without health problems.