The Importance of Nutraceuticals in COVID-19: What's the Role of Resveratrol?

Effect of polyphenols against complications of COVID-19: current evidence and potential efficacy

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2019 and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality continues to be a significant global health challenge, characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune system dysfunction.. Developing therapies for preventing or treating COVID-19 remains an important goal for pharmacology and drug development research. Polyphenols are effective against various viral infections and can be extracted and isolated from plants without losing their therapeutic potential. Researchers have developed methods for separating and isolating polyphenols from complex matrices. Polyphenols are effective in treating common viral infections, including COVID-19, and can also boost immunity. Polyphenolic-based antiviral medications can mitigate SARS-CoV-2 enzymes vital to virus replication and infection. Individual polyphenolic triterpenoids, flavonoids, anthraquinonoids, and tannins may also inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 protease. Polyphenol pharmacophore structures identified to date can explain their action and lead to the design of novel anti-COVID-19 compounds. Polyphenol-containing mixtures offer the advantages of a well-recognized safety profile with few known severe side effects. However, studies to date are limited, and further animal studies and randomized controlled trials are needed in future studies. The purpose of this study was to review and present the latest findings on the therapeutic impact of plant-derived polyphenols on COVID-19 infection and its complications. Exploring alternative approaches to traditional therapies could aid in developing novel drugs and remedies against coronavirus infection.

The Community Pharmacy as a Study Center for the Epidemiological Analysis of the Population Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: Evaluation of Vaccine Safety and Pharmaceutical Service

We conducted a monocentric observational study aimed at evaluating the vaccine safety and the pharmaceutical service provided at a community pharmacy (C.PHARM) in the Puglia Region in the period from 29 December 2021 to 12 March 2022 using data from 550 patients of various ages and sexes and with concomitant diseases. We collected anamnestic data, the number of hospitalizations, and any post-vaccination adverse reactions. Interviews using the integrated EQ5 method were also performed to evaluate the quality of the service offered and any therapy preference. As expected, the vaccines were reactogenic after the first dose in the patients with mild-moderate reactions, with younger age and female gender as risk factors. Immune-allergic reactions of a moderate-severe degree were observed in adult females. In the elderly, the vaccination was well tolerated. Comirnaty® showed a favorable O.R. < 1 vs. other vaccines. No cardiovascular events or hospitalizations were observed up to May 2023. Regional data indicate that all treatments during May 2023 were correlated with the viremia. PaxlovidTM was prescribed in 3% of the patients in our center and in 1.46% in the region, and distributed/dispensed on behalf of third parties in accordance with a novel distribution/dispensation protocol of the C.PHARM that resulted in a safe vaccination center providing appropriate patient inclusion during vaccination.

Therapeutic Challenges in COVID-19

SARS-CoV2 is a novel respiratory coronavirus and, understanding its molecular mechanism is a prerequisite to developing effective treatment for COVID-19. This RNA genome-carrying virus has a protein coat with spikes (S) that attaches to the ACE2 receptor at the cell surface of human cells. Several repurposed drugs are used to treat COVID-19 patients that are proven to be largely unsuccessful or have limited success in reducing mortalities. Several vaccines are in use to reduce the viral load to prevent developing symptoms. Major challenges to their efficacy include the inability of antibody molecules to enter cells but remain effective in the bloodstream to kill the virus. The efficacy of vaccines also depends on their neutralizing ability to constantly evolve new virus strains due to novel mutations and evolutionary survival dynamics. Taken together, SARS-CoV2 antibody vaccines may not be very effective and other approaches based on genetic, genomic, and protein interactome could be fruitful to identify therapeutic targets to reduce disease-related mortalities.

A novel copper-based nanozyme: fabrication and application for colorimetric detection of resveratrol

A novel nanozyme (urea@Cu-NF) was synthesized by self-assembly of urea and copper phosphate with urea as plasticizer. Urea@Cu-NF exhibited excellent peroxidase-like activity with the ability to oxidize TMB in the presence of H2O2. However, its peroxidase-like activity could be inhibited by resveratrol, leading to an absorption decrease in the intensity of oxTMB. Based on this phenomenon, a colorimetric method was designed for resveratrol detection. The colorimetric reaction could be completed within 20 min with a linear range of 1-120 μM. The limit of detection (LOD) of resveratrol is 0.43 μM. Our experimental results demonstrate that urea@Cu-NF has enormous potential to function as a cheap and accurate quality detection tool.

COVID-19 and Nutrition: Focus on Chronic Kidney Disease

Some chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), may be associated with poor outcomes, including a high rate of hospitalization and death after COVID-19 infection. In addition to the vaccination program, diet intervention is essential for boosting immunity and preventing complications. A healthy diet containing bioactive compounds may help mitigate inflammatory responses and oxidative stress caused by COVID-19. In this review, we discuss dietary interventions for mitigating COVID-19 complications, including in persons with CKD, which can worsen COVID-19 symptoms and its clinical outcomes, while diet may help patients with CKD to resist the ravages of COVID-19 by improving the immune system, modulating gut dysbiosis, mitigating COVID-19 complications, and reducing hospitalization and mortality. The concept of food as medicine, also known as culinary medicine, for patients with CKD can be extrapolated to COVID-19 infection because healthy foods and nutraceuticals have the potential to exert an important antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant role.

The Sphingolipid-Signaling Pathway as a Modulator of Infection by SARS-CoV-2

Ceramides and other related sphingolipids, important cellular components linked to metabolic homeostasis and cardiometabolic diseases, have been found to be involved in different steps of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Hence, changes in their physiological levels are identified as predictors of COVID-19 severity and prognosis, as well as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle is given, followed by a description of the sphingolipid metabolism and its role in viral infection, with a particular focus on those steps required to finalize the viral life cycle. Furthermore, the use and development of pharmaceutical strategies to target sphingolipids to prevent and treat severe and long-term symptoms of infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19, are reviewed herein. Finally, research perspectives and current challenges in this research field are highlighted. Although many aspects of sphingolipid metabolism are not fully known, this review aims to highlight how the discovery and use of molecules targeting sphingolipids with reliable and selective properties may offer new therapeutic alternatives to infectious and other diseases, including COVID-19.

Exploration of the potential common pathogenic mechanisms in COVID-19 and silicosis by using bioinformatics and system biology

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that is common worldwide. In recent years, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has provided daunting challenges to public healthcare systems globally. Although multiple studies have shown a close link between COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, the inter-relational mechanisms between COVID-19 and silicosis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the shared molecular mechanisms and drug targets of COVID-19 and silicosis. Gene expression profiling identified four modules that were most closely associated with both diseases. Furthermore, we performed functional analysis and constructed a protein-protein interaction network. Seven hub genes (budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1 [BUB1], protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 [PRC1], kinesin family member C1 [KIFC1], ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 [RRM2], cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 [CDKN3], Cyclin B2 [CCNB2], and minichromosome maintenance complex component 6 [MCM6]) were involved in the interaction between COVID-19 and silicosis. We investigated how diverse microRNAs and transcription factors regulate these seven genes. Subsequently, the correlation between the hub genes and infiltrating immune cells was explored. Further in-depth analyses were performed based on single-cell transcriptomic data from COVID-19, and the expression of hub-shared genes was characterized and located in multiple cell clusters. Finally, molecular docking results reveal small molecular compounds that may improve COVID-19 and silicosis. The current study reveals the common pathogenesis of COVID-19 and silicosis, which may provide a novel reference for further research.

Are Nutraceuticals Effective in COVID-19 and Post-COVID Prevention and Treatment?

The beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? After two years mastered by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, we are now witnessing a turnaround. The reduction of severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 led to increasing importance of a new disease called post-COVID syndrome. The term post-COVID is used to indicate permanency of symptoms in patients who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Immune, antiviral, antimicrobial therapies, as well as ozone therapy have been used to treat COVID-19 disease. Vaccines have then become available and administered worldwide to prevent the insurgence of the disease. However, the pandemic is not over yet at all given the emergence of new omicron variants. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. In this view, great interest was found in nutraceutical products, including vitamins (C, D, and E), minerals (zinc), melatonin, probiotics, flavonoids (quercetin), and curcumin. This review summarizes the role of nutraceuticals in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 disease and post-COVID syndrome.

Toll-like Receptor Mediation in SARS-CoV-2: A Therapeutic Approach

The innate immune system facilitates defense mechanisms against pathogen invasion and cell damage. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) assist in the activation of the innate immune system by binding to pathogenic ligands. This leads to the generation of intracellular signaling cascades including the biosynthesis of molecular mediators. TLRs on cell membranes are adept at recognizing viral components. Viruses can modulate the innate immune response with the help of proteins and RNAs that downregulate or upregulate the expression of various TLRs. In the case of COVID-19, molecular modulators such as type 1 interferons interfere with signaling pathways in the host cells, leading to an inflammatory response. Coronaviruses are responsible for an enhanced immune signature of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. TLRs have been employed as therapeutic agents in viral infections as numerous antiviral Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are TLR agonists. This review highlights the therapeutic approaches associated with SARS-CoV-2 and the TLRs involved in COVID-19 infection.

Resveratrol Downmodulates Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) Generation by Neutrophils in Patients with Severe COVID-19

The formation of microthrombi in lung autopsies indicates the involvement of NETs in the immunopathogenesis of severe COVID-19. Therefore, supplements inhibiting NET formation, in association with drugs with fewer adverse effects, should be a relevant strategy to attenuate the disease. Resveratrol (RESV) is a natural polyphenol with an important antiviral and antioxidant role. To modulate neutrophils from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, we evaluated the in vitro effect of RESV on NET formation. Herein, we investigated 190 patients hospitalized with moderate, severe, and critical symptoms at Hospital das Clínicas, Brazil. We observed that neutrophilia in patients with severe COVID-19 infection is composed of neutrophils with activated profile able to release NET spontaneously. Notably, RESV decreased the neutrophil-activated status and the release of free DNA, inhibiting NET formation even under the specific PMA stimulus. At present, there is no evidence of the role of RESV in neutrophils from patients with COVID-19 infection. These findings suggest that adjunctive therapies with RESV may help decrease the inflammation of viral or bacterial infection, improving patient outcomes.

An oral hydrogel carrier for delivering resveratrol into intestine-specific target released with high encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity based on structure-selected alginate and pectin

Resveratrol (RES) has many beneficial effects on the human body, but it is always unstable, resulting in low oral bioavailability, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.