Role of probiotics to combat viral infections with emphasis on COVID-19

Abstract

Interspecies transmissions of viruses between animals and humans may result in unpredictable pathogenic potential and new transmissible diseases. This mechanism has recently been exemplified by the discovery of new pathogenic viruses, such as the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Middle-East respiratory syndromecoronavirus epidemic in Saudi Arabia, and the deadly outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. The. SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which is having a massive global impact in terms of economic disruption, and, above all, human health. The disease is characterized by dry cough, fever, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Other symptoms include headache, sore throat, rhinorrhea, and gastrointestinal disorders. Pneumonia appears to be the most common and severe manifestation of the infection. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific drug for COVID-19. Further, the development of new antiviral requires a considerable length of time and effort for drug design and validation. Therefore, repurposing the use of natural compounds can provide alternatives and can support therapy against COVID-19. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the prophylactic and supportive therapeutic role of probiotics for the management of COVID-19. In addition, the unique role of probiotics to modulate the gut microbe and assert gut homeostasis and production of interferon as an antiviral mechanism is described. Further, the regulatory role of probiotics on gut-lung axis and mucosal immune system for the potential antiviral mechanisms is reviewed and discussed. Key points • Gut microbiota role in antiviral diseases • Factors influencing the antiviral mechanism • Probiotics and Covid-19

COVID-19: An overview and a clinical update

“…There is also evidence that supplementation with probiotics has beneficial effects on the adaptive immune system by modulating both T and B cells' functions while preventing an autoimmune inflammatory response[ 61 ]. The administration of probiotics can also enhance the host's resistance against infection for older subjects and reduce the severity of viral infection in both the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract[ 72 , 73 ]. However, the inflammatory shift's exact mechanism from the gut to the lung is not yet completely revealed.…”

Probiotic Effects against Virus Infections: New Weapons for an Old War

“…Given this, the search for probiotic agents has evolved, and now it is even feasible to modify probiotics with increasingly complex functionalities by transferring mobile genetic elements [ 12 ]. Because probiotics can possess antiviral activity, they can be chosen as alternatives to or complementary antiviral therapies [ 13 ]. Although nowadays there is a significant demand for bioactive components such as probiotics in Western countries, consumers are reluctant to change their dietary habits [ 14 ].…”

“…The most common genus of microbes used as probiotics are LAB, such as Lactobacillus [ 1 ], and primary oligosaccharide fermenters such as Bifidobacterium [ 16 ], although other genera, and even yeast, such as Saccharomyces , were proposed and used as probiotic agents [ 1 ]. One mechanism that probiotic strains, known as immunobiotics, can provide to human or animal health is modulating the mucosal and systemic immune systems [ 17 , 18 ], thus protecting against infectious diseases, including viral infections [ 13 , 19 ].…”

“…The consumption of probiotics has different beneficial effects on human health such as the production of antimicrobial and anti-adhesion substances against pathogens, thus facilitating the modulation of the immune system [ 20 ]. Probiotic bacteria can also inhibit the adhesion of the invading virus to the host-cell receptor by binding to it [ 13 ]. Moreover, probiotics can exert antiviral activity by direct probiotic-virus interaction, production of metabolites with antiviral inhibitory activity, or by stimulating the immune system of the host [ 13 ].…”

Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics

“…Они описывают уникальную роль пробиотиков в модулировании микрофлоры кишечника, укреплении его гомеостаза и выработки интерферона как противовирусного механизма. Кроме того, рассматривают и обсуждают регулирующую роль пробиотиков в системе «кишечник -легкие» и иммунной системе слизистых оболочек для потенциальных противовирусных механизмов [95]. Большое количество публикаций на сегодняшний день демонстрирует, что пероральные пробиотические штаммы могут снизить частоту и тяжесть вирусных инфекций дыхательных путей.…”