Traditional medicinal plants and plant products sold in open markets in Africa for COVID-19, their uses, medicinal properties, trade and sustainability: A review

Abstract

This review examines the trade of traditional medicinal plants in open markets in Africa and their potential use for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of COVID-19. It identifies from online sources plant species used by African populations for COVID-19 and plants with bioactive compounds against the SAR-CoV-2 virus. The paper also describes the risk of their decline and extinction. Several possible interventions to plant decline are evaluated. We conclude that the popularity of open markets and the use of medicinal plants with promising bioactive properties warrant further biomedical studies and clinical trials. We recommend that governments increase the sustainability of medicinal plants by enforcing environmental laws and establish nature preserves and promote research on the development of candidate species for the prevention and management of COVD-19 and that value chains be improved to ensure a reliable supply of medicinal plants in markets and economic equitability for all actors.