Nutraceuticals and COVID‐19: A mechanistic approach toward attenuating the disease complications

Abstract

Nutraceuticals have emerged as potential compounds to attenuate the COVID‐19 complications. Precisely, these food additives strengthen the overall COVID treatment and enhance the immunity of a person. Such compounds have been used at a large scale, in almost every household due to their better affordability and easy access. Therefore, current research is focused on developing newer advanced formulations from potential drug candidates including nutraceuticals with desirable properties viz, affordability, ease of availability, ease of administration, stability under room temperature, and potentially longer shelf‐lives. As such, various nutraceutical‐based products such as compounds could be promising agents for effectively managing COVID‐19 symptoms and complications. Most importantly, regular consumption of such nutraceuticals has been shown to boost the immune system and prevent viral infections. Nutraceuticals such as vitamins, amino acids, flavonoids like curcumin, and probiotics have been studied for their role in the prevention of COVID‐19 symptoms such as fever, pain, malaise, and dry cough. In this review, we have critically reviewed the potential of various nutraceutical‐based therapeutics for the management of COVID‐19. We searched the information relevant to our topic from search engines such as PubMed and Scopus using COVID‐19, nutraceuticals, probiotics, and vitamins as a keyword. Any scientific literature published in a language other than English was excluded. Practical applications Nutraceuticals possess both nutritional values and medicinal properties. They can aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases, as well as promote physical health and the immune system, normalizing body functions, and improving longevity. Recently, nutraceuticals such as probiotics, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, trace minerals, and medicinal plants have attracted considerable attention and are widely regarded as potential alternatives to current therapeutic options for the effective management of various diseases, including COVID‐19.

Progress in Understanding Metabolic Syndrome and Knowledge of Its Complex Pathophysiology

“…Oxidative stress, or the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, is a consequence of obesity. Obesity is further encouraged by oxidative stress, which damages cellular components and causes inflammation [136,142].…”

Utilization of Nano-Form Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals and their Significance in Health Boosting and the COVID-19’s Challenge

“…Yet, a number of recent research point to functional foods as alternative and complementary treatments for COVID-19 have been investigated [36]. Nutraceuticals have both therapeutic and dietary benefits which represent hybrid products involving nutrients and pharmaceuticals [37]. In addition to improving physical health and the immune system, regulating biological functions, and extending life, they can help avoid and treat diseases [38,39].…”

“…Vitamins (like A, E, Folate, B6, B12 C and D vitamins), trace minerals (like Se, Mg, Zn, Cu and Fe), polyunsaturated fatty acids (like linolic and linolenic acids), probiotics and medicinal plants (like ginger, cinnamon and ginseng) and their derivatives (like curcumin, resveratrol and berbamine) are among the nutraceuticals that have recently received a lot of attention in the same concern. They are widely recognized as viable substitutes for the available treatment options for the efficient management of a variety of disorders including COVID-19 as they are considered ani-oxidants, antiinflammation agents or neurotransmitters [37]. During COVID-9 pandemic, the elevated leptin hormone levels in the body is the reason of appetite loss, therefore the selection of a suitable nutraceutical is of great concern, of which garlic was a good choice [40].…”

Modulation of innate immunity related genes resulting in prophylactic antimicrobial and antiviral properties

“…Nutraceuticals are potential alternatives to NSAIDs for the management of various inflammatory diseases, including mild to moderate COVID-19 [ 25 ]. Among the plant-based nutraceuticals, polyphenols (which are grouped in four classes: phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans) have received particular interest because of their key roles in a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions [ 26 ].…”