Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Immunomodulatory Roles of Nonvitamin Antioxidants in Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Therapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Oct 13;65(19):12562-12593. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01134. Epub 2022 Sep 22.

Abstract

Viral pathologies encompass activation of pro-oxidative pathways and inflammatory burst. Alleviating overproduction of reactive oxygen species and cytokine storm in COVID-19 is essential to counteract the immunogenic damage in endothelium and alveolar membranes. Antioxidants alleviate oxidative stress, cytokine storm, hyperinflammation, and diminish the risk of organ failure. Direct antiviral roles imply: impact on viral spike protein, interference with the ACE2 receptor, inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 4, transmembrane protease serine 2 or furin, and impact on of helicase, papain-like protease, 3-chyomotrypsin like protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Prooxidative environment favors conformational changes in the receptor binding domain, promoting the affinity of the spike protein for the host receptor. Viral pathologies imply a vicious cycle, oxidative stress promoting inflammatory responses, and vice versa. The same was noticed with respect to the relationship antioxidant impairment-viral replication. Timing, dosage, pro-oxidative activities, mutual influences, and interference with other antioxidants should be carefully regarded. Deficiency is linked to illness severity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
  • Furin
  • Humans
  • Papain
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Serine
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Serine
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Furin
  • Papain