Nutrients, herbal bioactive derivatives and commensal microbiota as tools to lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Arianna Romani; Domenico Sergi; Enrico Zauli; Rebecca Voltan; Giada Lodi; Mauro Vaccarezza; Lorenzo Caruso; Maurizio Previati; Giorgio Zauli

doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1152254

Nutrients, herbal bioactive derivatives and commensal microbiota as tools to lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Front Nutr. 2023 Jun 1:10:1152254. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1152254. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Arianna Romani¹, Domenico Sergi², Enrico Zauli², Rebecca Voltan¹, Giada Lodi¹, Mauro Vaccarezza³, Lorenzo Caruso¹, Maurizio Previati², Giorgio Zauli⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
² Department of Translational Medicine and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
³ Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁴ Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has infected a vast population across the world, causing more than 664 million cases and 6.7 million deaths by January 2023. Vaccination has been effective in reducing the most critical aftermath of this infection, but some issues are still present regarding re-infection prevention, effectiveness against variants, vaccine hesitancy and worldwide accessibility. Moreover, although several old and new antiviral drugs have been tested, we still lack robust and specific treatment modalities. It appears of utmost importance, facing this continuously growing pandemic, to focus on alternative practices grounded on firm scientific bases. In this article, we aim to outline a rigorous scientific background and propose complementary nutritional tools useful toward containment, and ultimately control, of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, we review the mechanisms of viral entry and discuss the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from α-linolenic acid and other nutrients in preventing the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with its entry gateways. In a similar way, we analyze in detail the role of herbal-derived pharmacological compounds and specific microbial strains or microbial-derived polypeptides in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 entry. In addition, we highlight the role of probiotics, nutrients and herbal-derived compounds in stimulating the immunity response.

Keywords: ACE-2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; TMPRSS2; natural products; phytochemicals.

Publication types

Review