Vitamin D generates many extraskeletal effects due to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) which is present in most tissues throughout the body. The possible role of vitamin D in infections is implied from its impact on the innate and adaptive immune responses. A significant effect is also the suppression of inflammatory processes. Because vitamin D could be acknowledged as a “seasonal stimulus”, as defined by R. Edgar Hope-Simpson, it would be crucial to prove it from a potential easy and cheap prophylaxis or therapy support perspective as far as influenza infections are concerned. The survey of the literature data generates some controversies and doubts about the possible role of vitamin D in the prevention of influenza virus. The most important point is to realise that the broad spectrum of this vitamin’s activity does not exclude such a possibility. According to most of the authors, more randomized controlled trials with effective, large populations are needed to explore the preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on viral influenza infections.

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Vitamin C has a number of acitvities that could contribute to its immune-modulating effects. The only question is whether we should provide ourselves with only the right level of it, or do we need much more during a pandemic? The possibility of reducing the incidence of viral diseases in a well-nourished population through the use of dietary supplements based on vitamin C is not supported in the literature. Despite this, the belief that an extra intake of vitamin C can increase the efficacy of the immune system is still popular and vitamin C is advertised as a remedy to prevent infectious disease. This article refers to the justification of the use of vitamin C in high doses as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis in healthy subjects. Does it make sense or not? As it turns out, any effects of vitamin C supplementation may be more prominent when the baseline vitamin C level is low, for example in physically active persons. People with hypovitaminosis C are more likely to respond to vitamin C administration. No studies regarding prevention of COVID-19 with high-dose vitamin C supplementation in healthy subjects were found.

Unique phytochemical profile of plants belonging to Boraginaceae family provides a prolific resource of lipophilic pigments from the group of naphthoquinone derivatives. To overcome low compound content, the major obstacle of plant-based production, immobilization of Rindera graeca roots in in vitro cultures was implemented for efficient production of rinderol, novel furanonaphthoquinone derivative with anticancer properties. Chromatographic procedures revealed rinderol presence in extracts of all investigated root lines, derived both from root biomass and post-culture medium. Unexpectedly, in the second stage of the experiment, rinderol production was ceased in control, unmodified culture systems. On the contrary, roots immobilized on PUF rafts uniformly and stably produced rinderol, and its highest amount was noted for transformed root lines after 42 days of cultivation (222.98 ± 10.47 µg/flask). PUF occurred to be the main place of compound accumulation. Moreover, investigation of rinderol biological activity revealed its fast-acting cell death induction in HeLa cervical cancer cells at relatively low concentrations. Presented results revealed successful application of R. graeca roots immobilization on PUF rafts for production and in situ product removal of rinderol, novel lipophilic furanonaphthoquinone with suggested proapoptotic activity.

Background. Oxidative stress accompanies neurodegeneration and also causes abnormalities in thiamine-dependent processes. These processes have been reported to be diminished in the brains of patients with several neurodegenerative diseases.

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