Lecithinized superoxide dismutase in the past and in the present: Any role in the actual pandemia of COVID-19?

Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Sep:141:111922. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111922. Epub 2021 Jul 14.

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) pandemic is devastating the public health: it is urgent to find a viable therapy to reduce the multiorgan damage of the disease. A validated therapeutic protocol is still missing. The most severe forms of the disease are related to an exaggerated inflammatory response. The pivotal role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the amplification of inflammation makes the antioxidants a potential therapy, but clinical trials are needed. The lecitinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) could represent a possibility because of bioaviability, safety, and its modulatory effect on the innate immune response in reducing the harmful consequences of oxidative stress. In this review we summarize the evidence on lecitinized superoxide dismutase in animal and human studies, to highlight the rationale for using the PC-SOD to treat COVID-19.

Keywords: Antioxidants; COVID-19 disease; Lecitinized superoxide dismutase; Lung infections; Oxidative stress; Superoxide mimetics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Organ Failure / diagnosis
  • Multiple Organ Failure / drug therapy
  • Multiple Organ Failure / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Pandemics
  • Phosphatidylcholines / pharmacology
  • Phosphatidylcholines / therapeutic use*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / pharmacology
  • Superoxide Dismutase / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • lecithinized superoxide dismutase