Potential Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 and Functional Food Components as Nutritional Supplement for COVID-19: A Review

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2020 Dec;75(4):458-466. doi: 10.1007/s11130-020-00861-9. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome is a viral respiratory infection and commonly called as COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It widely transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Currently, no specific treatment against SARS-CoV-2 are available; only prevention and supportive strategy are the preventive measures. The present review emphasizes the latest research related to COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the current status of potential inhibitors identified. Recent interest in SARS-CoV-2 has focused on transmission, symptoms, structure, and its structural proteins that exhibit promising therapeutics targets for rapid identification of potential inhibitors. The quick identification of potential inhibitors and immune-boosting functional food ingredients are crucial to combat this pandemic disease. We also tried to give an overview of the functional food components as a nutritional supplement, which helps in boosting our immune system and could be useful in preventing the COVID-19 and/or to improve the outcome during therapy.

Keywords: COVID-19; Food ingredients; Immune-boosting; Potential inhibitors; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Functional Food*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2