Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major pandemic facing the world today caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has implications on our mental health as well. The uncertain future, fear of job loss, lockdown and negative news all around have taken a heavy toll on the mental health of individuals from across the world. Stress and anxiety can affect the COVID-19 patients even more. Recent study suggests COVID-19 infection may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Certain prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to have anxiolytic effect through gut microbiota modulation. Incidentally, preliminary report also suggests a differential microbial profile in COVID-19 patients as compared to healthy individuals. Gut microbiota’s role in anxiety and depression is well studied. The importance of the “gut-brain” axis has been implicated in overall mental health. It is known that diet, environmental factors and genetics play an important role in shaping gut microbiota. Trials may be initiated to study if personalized diet and supplementation based on individual’s gut microbiome profile may improve the general mental well-being of people prone to anxiety during this pandemic. Also, COVID-19 patients may be provided personalized nutritional therapy based on their gut microbiota profile to see if PTSD and anxiety symptoms can be alleviated.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a raging pandemic causing a widespread disruption of normal life
Open labeled, randomized, and controlled clinical trial for evaluation of a novel botanical based fixed combination drug – NBT-NM 108 in modulating the gut microbiota and treat early stage COVID-19 patients Prospective case-control pilot study for evaluation of a specific probiotic (1 billion cfu) mix to improve outcome in COVID-19 patients Preventive study to evaluate the effect of consumption of the probiotic Lactobacillus coryniformis K8 (3 billion cfu) in incidence and severity of COVID-19 in health workers exposed to the virus Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics (2 strains 10 × 109 UFC) to reduce the duration and symptoms of COVID-19
A randomized controlled open-label study for evaluation of probiotics L. rhamnosus PDV1705 (1 billion cfu), Bifidobacterium bifidum PDV 0903 (1 billion cfu), B. longum PDV 1911 (1 billion cfu), B. longum PDV 2301 (1 billion cfu) in treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a raging pandemic causing a widespread disruption of normal life. COVID-19, with its impending effect on the psychological health of both the patients and millions of individuals worldwide, provides the necessary impetus to the scientific and the medical community to delve deeper into the role of the gut microbiota in depression and anxiety.
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