The potential of caffeine contained in the coffee to modulate the immune system of the COVID-19 sufferers: A review

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, initially detected in Wuhan City, Hubei, China in December 2019. This presents an unparalleled difficulty in identifying efficacious medications for treatment. Despite numerous clinical trials employing various medicines, there remains a dearth of targeted therapies for COVID-19. The progression of COVID-19 clinical symptoms, for example a severe pneumonia, arespiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiorgan failure, is a result of an exaggerated immune response characterized by increased inflammation, oxidation, and cytokine storm. Presently, coffee beans contain caffeine, which is a highly consumed chemical. Caffeine exerts beneficial benefits on the human body, influencing multiple systems such as the immunological system, central nervous system, digestive system, and respiratory system. The impact of caffeine is contingent upon the quantity and composition of the product in which it is present. Objective: Analyze the potential of caffeine as an immunomodulator in COVID-19 sufferers. Discussion: Caffeine functions as an agonist of TAS2R receptors and an antagonist of adenosine receptors. The immunomodulatory properties of caffeine can assist in diminishing the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection by stimulating adenylyl cyclase, which converts ATP into cAMP. The heightened level of cAMP stimulates the intiation of protein kinase A (PKA), which subsequently suppresses the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, caffeine has the ability to suppress the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hence reducing the unleash of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Caffeine provides health benefits with its immunomodulating properties to COVID-19 patients and can be regarded as a supplementary treatment in patients with COVID-19.