Reduction of TNF-a level produced by peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with COVID-19 due to treatment with chamomile ethanolic extract

In March 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2019 coronavirus disease as a pandemic. MERS-CoV and influenza can be a valuable resource in the development of therapeutic agents for COVID-19. Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile) is usually useful due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is listed in the pharmacopoeia of 26 countries as a herbal medicine for the treatment of various disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of chamomile to reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from Covid-19 volunteers (n = 3) and treated with concentrations of 200, 300, 400, and 500 µg/ml ethanolic extract extracted from chamomile aerial parts. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production levels were measured using ELISA method. Chamomile ethanolic extract (all concentrations) significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in peripheral blood cell cultures of covid-19 patients compared to the untreated group (p<0.0001). The results of the present study showed for the first time that chamomile can exert its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which can be attributed to the compounds of this plant with anti-inflammatory properties. As a potential alternative for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, this plant needs further investigation.