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Parreira LFS, Pinheiro SL, Fontana CE. Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Dysgeusia in Patients with Long COVID: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2024; 42:215-224. [PMID: 38416635 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2023.0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate local and systemic photobiomodulation (PBM) in patients with COVID-19-related dysgeusia, with the expectation of improving taste dysfunction. Background: PBM has garnered attention as a potential therapy in long COVID, a condition characterized by many persistent symptoms following the acute phase of COVID-19. Among these symptoms, dysgeusia, or altered taste perception, can significantly affect patients' quality of life. Emerging research suggests that PBM may hold promise in ameliorating dysgeusia by modulating cellular processes and reducing inflammation. Further clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of PBM for the treatment of dysgeusia in long COVID, but initial evidence suggests that this noninvasive modality may offer a novel avenue for symptom management. Methods: Seventy patients experiencing dysgeusia were randomly assigned to receive active local and systemic PBM (n = 34) or simulated PBM (n = 36). Low-power laser (red wavelength) was used at 18 spots on the lateral borders of the tongue (3 J per spot), salivary glands (parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands-3 J per spot), and over the carotid artery for 10 min (60 J). Alongside laser therapy, all patients in both groups received weekly olfactory therapy for up to 8 weeks. Results: Dysgeusia improved in both groups. At weeks 7 and 8, improvement scores were significantly higher in the PBM group than in the sham group (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Combined local and systemic PBM, as applied in this study, proved effective and could serve as a viable treatment option for alleviating dysgeusia in long-COVID patients. Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-2mfbkkk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Fernandes Sobreira Parreira
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Luiz Pinheiro
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Fontana
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas, Brazil
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Ujjan ID, Khan S, Nigar R, Ahmed H, Ahmad S, Khan A. The possible therapeutic role of curcumin and quercetin in the early-stage of COVID-19-Results from a pragmatic randomized clinical trial. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1023997. [PMID: 36742008 PMCID: PMC9889936 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1023997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Curcumin (CUR) and quercetin (QUE), two natural polyphenols, possess diverse biological activities including broad-spectrum antiviral, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Both CUR and QUE have shown inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in in vitro assays. Objective In the present study we aimed to assess the possible treatment benefits of a combined curcumin and quercetin (CUR-QUE) oral supplement, alongside standard of care (SOC), in the early-stage COVID-19 infection. Methods This was an exploratory, pragmatic, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted at the Department of Pathology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, PK. The study compared the treatment effect of an oral CUR-QUE supplement plus SOC vs. SOC alone, in the early-stage/mild to moderately symptomatic COVID-19 outpatients. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to CUR-QUE (n = 25) and control (n = 25) treatment groups. The CUR-QUE supplementation consisted of a daily intake of 168 mg curcumin and 260 mg quercetin, as two soft capsules, to be taken twice a day at home for 14 days. Results After one-week of treatment, most of the patients in the CUR-QUE group showed an expedited clearance of the viral infection i.e., 18 (72.0%) vs. 6 (24.0%) patients in the control group tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in the nasal-oropharyngeal swab reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis (p = 0.0002). In addition, COVID-19-associated acute symptoms were also speedily resolved in the CUR-QUE treated patients, i.e., 10 (40.0%) vs. 4 (16.0%) patients in the control group (p = 0.061). The CUR-QUE supplementation therapy was well-tolerated by all 25 patients and no treatment-emergent effects or serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion The results revealed in this exploratory study suggest a possible therapeutic role of curcumin and quercetin in the early-stage of COVID-19. It is proposed that the two agents possibly acting in synergy, interfere the SARS-CoV-2 replication, and thus help a speedy recovery in the early-stage of COVID-19. Further research is highly encouraged. Clinical trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT04603690.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Din Ujjan
- Department of Pathology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Khan
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Roohi Nigar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Bilawal Medical College, LUMHS, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | | | - Sagheer Ahmad
- Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Khan
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Amjad Khan,
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Wu YQ, Tong T. Curcumae Rhizoma: A botanical drug against infectious diseases. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1015098. [PMID: 36703758 PMCID: PMC9871392 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1015098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Curcumae Rhizoma is the dry rhizome coming from Curcuma longa L. which grow widely in tropical south and southwest Asia. It has been used to treat conditions such as dermatoses, infections, stress, and depression. Moreover, in China, Curcumae Rhizoma and its active constituents have been made into different pharmaceutical preparations. Growing evidence suggests that these preparations can exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects, which may play crucial roles in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, infectious-, autoimmune-, neurological-, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetes. The anti-infective effect of Curcumae Rhizoma has become a popular field of research around the world, including for the treatment of COVID-19, influenza virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and human papilloma virus, among others. In this paper, the basic characteristics of Curcumae Rhizoma and its active constituents are briefly introduced, and we also give an overview on their applications and mechanisms in infectious diseases.
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Perna A, Hay E, Sellitto C, Del Genio E, De Falco M, Guerra G, De Luca A, De Blasiis P, Lucariello A. Antiinflammatory Activities of Curcumin and Spirulina: Focus on Their Role against COVID-19. J Diet Suppl 2023; 20:372-389. [PMID: 36729019 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2023.2173354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Nutraceuticals have for several years aroused the interest of researchers for their countless properties, including the management of viral infections. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies and research on the antiviral properties of nutraceuticals have greatly increased. More specifically, over the past two years, researchers have focused on analyzing the possible role of nutraceuticals in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or mitigating the symptoms of COVID-19. Among nutraceuticals, turmeric, extracted from the rhizome of the Curcuma Longa plant, and spirulina, commercial name of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis, have assumed considerable importance in recent years. The purpose of this review is to collect, through a search of the most recent articles on Pubmed, the scientific evidence on the role of these two compounds in the fight against COVID-19. In the last two years many hypotheses, some confirmed by clinical and experimental studies, have been made on the possible use of turmeric against COVID-19, while on spirulina and its possible role against SARS-CoV-2 infection information is much less. The demonstrated antiviral properties of spirulina and the fact that these cyanobacteria may modulate or modify some mechanisms also involved in the onset of COVID-19, lead us to think that it may have the same importance as curcumin in fighting this disease and to speculate on the possible combined use of these two substances to obtain a synergistic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Perna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Eleonora Hay
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Sellitto
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Emiliano Del Genio
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria De Falco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples ''Federico II'', Naples, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
- Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology (BAT Center), Portici, Italy
| | - Germano Guerra
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio De Luca
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo De Blasiis
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Lucariello
- Department of Sport Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy
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Onishchenko GG, Sizikova TE, Lebedev VN, Borisevich SV. The Omicron Variant of the Sars-Cov-2 Virus As the Dominant Agent of a New Risk of Disease amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. HERALD OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 2022; 92:381-391. [PMID: 36091850 PMCID: PMC9447973 DOI: 10.1134/s1019331622040074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the two years that have passed since the WHO announced on March 11, 2020, a pandemic of the new coronavirus disease COVID-19, more than 460 million cases of the disease have been detected in the world, of which more than five million have been fatal. During the natural evolution of the COVID-19 pathogen, dominant variants emerge that account for most new infections. The WHO constantly monitors coronavirus mutations that potentially pose an epidemiological danger. Currently, the WHO divides modified variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI). The WHO-designated group of variants of concern includes potentially the most dangerous lines, which are characterized by a complex of new properties. This group also includes the Omicron variant, which has become the dominant agent of the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this work is to analyze the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, the dominant agent of the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed mechanism of origin of the Omicron variant, its geographical distribution, the features of the disease caused by it, and the distinguishing features from diseases caused by the Delta variant and the original Wuhan strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mutations of the Omicron variant compared to the parent strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the genetic variability of the Omicron variant, and the epidemiological characteristics of the disease it causes are considered. Particular attention is paid to evaluation of the preventive and therapeutic effectiveness of the existing medical means of protection against COVID-19 in relation to the Omicron strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. G. Onishchenko
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - T. E. Sizikova
- 48th Central Research Institute, Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergiev Posad, Moscow oblast Russia
| | - V. N. Lebedev
- 48th Central Research Institute, Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergiev Posad, Moscow oblast Russia
| | - S. V. Borisevich
- 48th Central Research Institute, Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergiev Posad, Moscow oblast Russia
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Khan A, Iqtadar S, Mumtaz SU, Heinrich M, Pascual-Figal DA, Livingstone S, Abaidullah S. Oral Co-Supplementation of Curcumin, Quercetin, and Vitamin D3 as an Adjuvant Therapy for Mild to Moderate Symptoms of COVID-19—Results From a Pilot Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:898062. [PMID: 35747751 PMCID: PMC9211374 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.898062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Curcumin, quercetin, and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) are common natural ingredients of human nutrition and reportedly exhibit promising anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, broad-spectrum antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic benefits of a single oral formulation containing supplements curcumin, quercetin, and cholecalciferol (combinedly referred to here as CQC) as an adjuvant therapy for early-stage of symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a pilot open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed, mild to moderate symptomatic COVID-19 outpatients were randomized to receive either the standard of care (SOC) (n = 25) (control arm) or a daily oral co-supplementation of 168 mg curcumin, 260 mg quercetin, and 9 µg (360 IU) of cholecalciferol, as two oral soft capsules b.i.d. as an add-on to the SOC (n = 25) (CQC arm) for 14 days. The SOC includes paracetamol with or without antibiotic (azithromycin). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR test, acute symptoms, and biochemistry including C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, and complete blood count were evaluated at baseline and follow-up day seven. Results: Patients who received the CQC adjuvant therapy showed expedited negativization of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, i.e., 15 (60.0%) vs. five (20.0%) of the control arm, p = 0.009. COVID-19- associated acute symptoms were rapidly resolved in the CQC arm, i.e., 15 (60.0%) vs. 10 (40.0%) of the control arm, p = 0.154. Patients in the CQC arm experienced a greater fall in serum CRP levels, i.e., from (median (IQR) 34.0 (21.0, 45.0) to 11.0 (5.0, 16.0) mg/dl as compared to the control arm, i.e., from 36.0 (28.0, 47.0) to 22.0 (15.0, 25.0) mg/dl, p = 0.006. The adjuvant therapy of co-supplementation of CQC was safe and well-tolerated by all 25 patients and no treatment-emergent effects, complications, side effects, or serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The co-supplementation of CQC may possibly have a therapeutic role in the early stage of COVID-19 infection including speedy negativization of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, resolution of acute symptoms, and modulation of the hyperinflammatory response. In combination with routine care, the adjuvant co-supplementation of CQC may possibly help in the speedy recovery from early-stage mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Further research is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05130671
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Khan
- INEOS Oxford Institute for AMR Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan
- *Correspondence: Amjad Khan,
| | - Somia Iqtadar
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sami Ullah Mumtaz
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Michael Heinrich
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Domingo A. Pascual-Figal
- Department of Cardiology, University of Murcia Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sajid Abaidullah
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
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Patton LL. Long-COVID and the practice of oral medicine. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2021; 133:125-128. [PMID: 34922826 PMCID: PMC8571099 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren L Patton
- Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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