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@article{201921,
        author = {Priya Kale and Chaitali Dhangavhal and Bhumika Sable and Shreyash Kadam and Vilasini R. Pandav},
        title = {Plant-Based Approaches for Enhancing Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): A Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {6703-6711},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=201921},
        abstract = {When the new coronavirus spread worldwide, it triggered a massive health crisis unlike any before. Because no targeted medicines existed at first, scientists looked elsewhere for help. Plant remedies caught attention thanks to long-standing use in healing traditions across cultures. Systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Chinese herbal practice have relied on nature's chemistry for ages. These natural compounds often fight viruses, calm inflammation, protect cells, and balance immune responses. Attention turned sharply toward how such substances might block the virus responsible for the illness. The way it invades human cells involves spike proteins latching onto ACE2 receptors. Once inside, the pathogen copies itself using the host’s machinery. Examining these steps reveals possible weak spots where plant molecules could interfere. This look explores those connections through the lens of botanical defenses and their active ingredients. It jumps right into how certain natural plants and their active parts - like flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and polyphenols - can block viruses from entering cells, copying themselves, or sparking inflammation. Because these substances come from widely spread plant species, the document takes a close look at where they grow, what effects they have on the body, how they’re used in real medical cases, and whether they’re safe. Even though lab tests, animal experiments, and computer models show strong signs of fighting viruses, proof from big human trials is still thin. For that reason, deeper investigation, consistent methods, and proper testing in people are needed before we can fully trust treatments based on plants. When old healing traditions meet today’s science, new paths could open up for finding virus-fighting drugs and getting ready for worldwide outbreaks.},
        keywords = {Antiviral activity, COVID-19, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, SARS-CoV-2},
        month = {May},
        }