Jafari A, Esmaeilzadeh Z, Khezri MR, Ghasemnejad-Berenji H, Pashapour S, Sadeghpour S, Ghasemnejad-Berenji M. An overview of possible pivotal mechanisms of Genistein as a potential phytochemical against SARS-CoV-2 infection: A hypothesis.
J Food Biochem 2022;
46:e14345. [PMID:
35866873 PMCID:
PMC9350103 DOI:
10.1111/jfbc.14345]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has been caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). It is a global problem that humanity has not yet found a definitive solution for it. In this regard, a global effort has been done to find effective or potential adjuvant therapies in order to fight this infection. Genistein is a small, biologically active phytoestrogen flavonoid that is found in high amounts in soy and plants of the Fabaceae family. This important compound is known due to its anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Additionally, protective effects of genistein have been reported in different pathological conditions through modulating intracellular pathways such as PI3K, Akt, mTOR, NF‐κB, PPARγ, AMPK, and Nrf2. Scientific evidence suggests that genistein could have a potential role to treat COVID‐19 through its anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant effects. Furthermore, it appears to interfere with intracellular pathways involved in viral entry into the cell. This review provides a basis for further research and development of clinical applications of genistein as a potential alternative therapy to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in COVID‐19 patients.
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