A Promising Approach to Improving COVID-19 Symptoms: Using Antioxidant Supplements

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 could progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The immune cells' migration in response to virus lead to cell death by releasing oxidizing free radicals. These oxidizing free radicals mediate NF-κB activation and induce transcription of cytokine-producing genes that eventually a cytokine storm ensues, leading to septic shock. The over-expression of oxidative stress and enhancing ROS and RNS production activates transcription factors like NF-κB, so repeating this cycle intensifies the host inflammatory responses. In this way, antioxidants as compounds that inhibit oxidation by terminating chain reactions are suggested for alleviating the COVID-19 demonstration. In the present review study, the pathogenesis of the virus, the virus immunopathology, the balance between immune responses and oxidative stress are discussed. Also in this review, due to the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the disease, some of the most important antioxidant agents whose therapeutic effects have been shown in improving many viral infections, ARDS, and acute lung injury, are recommended to improve the patient’s condition infected with SARS-CoV-2. Besides, the last COVID-19 clinical studies in this field are summarized in this review article. These studies described that melatonin through promoting sleep quality by decreasing vascular permeability, reducing anxiety, and regulating blood pressure; and vitamin C through decreasing the mortality rates and the requirement for mechanical ventilation; and Glutathione through decreasing respiratory distress in the pneumonia of COVID-19 patients; and higher selenium levels could improve the COVID-19 patients' clinical outcomes