Catechins: Therapeutic Perspectives in COVID-19-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Data obtained from several intensive care units around the world have provided substantial evidence of the strong association between impairment of the renal function and in-hospital deaths of critically ill COVID-19 patients, especially those with comorbidities and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common renal disorder of various etiologies characterized by a sudden and sustained decrease of renal function. Studies have shown that 5–46% of COVID-19 patients develop AKI during hospital stay, and the mortality of those patients may reach up to 100% depending on various factors, such as organ failures and RRT requirement. Catechins are natural products that have multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-coronavirus and reno-protective activities against kidney injury induced by nephrotoxic agents, obstructive nephropathies and AKI accompanying metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the anti-SARS-CoV-2 and reno-protective effects of catechins from a mechanistic perspective. We believe that catechins may serve as promising therapeutics in COVID-19-associated AKI due to their well-recognized anti-SARS-CoV-2, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that mediate their reno-protective activities.

Exploring the Drug Potential of Phytochemicals as a Novel Therapeutic Drug Candidate for Herpesvirus: An In-silico Evaluation

“…It effectively suppressed these viral replications in a dosedependent manner.A recent study by Bondonno et al [20] reported that it was found to have the inhibitory potential of SARS-CoV-2, specifically the main protease thereof. Similar catechins including gallocatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechingallate and epicatechingallate are also claimed as active components in preventing SARs-CoV-2 Mpro; while, it has also been reported to have therapeutic potential in alleviating hyperinflammation in COVID-19 mediators due to its antiviral, antiseptic, antifibrotic and reduced oxidative stress synthesis and signaling [21,22]. According to the research reports of previous findings, we believe that these may potentially act concert with other catechins to inhibit viral replication and also act individually as an antiviral agent.…”

Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser: a comprehensive review on botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology

“…Recently, catechins ( 12 ) and their derivatives have attracted public attention because of their anti-tumor, antioxidative, and antimicrobial activities, in addition to easy availability, few toxic effects, and low cost [ 76 , 113 , 114 ]. Catechins have been shown to have nephroprotective activity and can prevent kidney damage caused by nephrotoxic drugs [ 115 , 116 ]. In future studies, the safety and efficacy of catechins in treating acute kidney injury should be further explored to provide reference values for clinical treatment.…”

Protective Effect of Green Tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>) against Kidney Diseases

“…The main signaling pathways involved are the activation of the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway and the inhibition of NF-κB by MAPK [6,26]. Studies in rats pretreated or treated with catechins showed significant protection or mitigation of the impairment of kidney function and glomerular and tubular lesions in models of AKI induced by glycerol, gentamicin, cisplatin, contrast, obstruction, ischemia/reperfusion, cardiopulmonary bypass, iron overload, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus [6,25,27,28]. Recent publications provided evidence that catechins can be used as antiviral and renoprotective agents in the prevention of COVID-19-induced AKI [27,29].…”

“…The cell-surface receptor ACE2 is the binding site for the spike protein SARS-CoV-2 through the receptor binding domain of protein S (RBD) in the viral membrane, located in the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2, which recognizes ACE2 and forms the RBD-ACE2 complex, through which SARS-CoV-2 is activated for endocytosis, at which time its replication begins. In vitro, binding of EGCG to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 inhibits its interaction with ACE2 located on the host cell membrane and prevents endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2 [27]. Additionally, EGCG inhibits the initial replication of the virus by inhibiting M pro and RdRp [30].…”