Abstract
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 was caused by a pathogenic virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therapies against SARS-CoV-2 target the virus or human cells or the immune system. However, therapies based on specific antibodies, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, may become inefficient enough when the virus changes its antigenicity due to mutations. Polyphenols are the major class of bioactive compounds in nature, exerting diverse health effects based on their direct antioxidant activity and their effects in the modulation of intracellular signaling. There are currently numerous clinical trials investigating the effects of polyphenols in prophylaxis and the treatment of COVID-19, from symptomatic, via moderate and severe COVID-19 treatment, to anti-fibrotic treatment in discharged COVID-19 patients. Antiviral activities of polyphenols and their impact on immune system modulation could serve as a solid basis for developing polyphenol-based natural approaches for preventing and treating COVID-19.
Highlights
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 was caused by a pathogenic virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the βcoronaviruses lineage B
We reviewed the most recent advances related to molecular mechanisms of possible action of phenolic compounds in COVID-19 protection and prevention including the current views on phenolic compounds intervention at least as an adjunct therapeutic support
This review demonstrates that phenolic compounds may have several mechanisms of action against SARS-CoV-2
Summary
The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 was caused by a pathogenic virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to the βcoronaviruses lineage B. Therapies against SARS-CoV-2 target the virus or human cells or the immune system. Antiviral activities of polyphenols and their impact on immune system modulation could serve as a solid basis for developing polyphenol-based natural approaches for preventing and treating COVID-19 [14]. Besides antiviral activities and immune system regulation, the pleiotropic and multi-organ health-promoting effects of polyphenols [15,16] make them even more beneficial to combat COVID-19, taking into account the multisystem complications of this disease. This review aims to present molecular mechanisms of possible action of polyphenols in protection and prevention against COVID-19, based on literature data obtained from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, as well as to review the potential of polyphenol structures as inspiration for drugs under development to be used for COVID19 prevention and treatment. Due to the high similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 key protein targets, some in vitro effects of polyphenols previously reported for SARS-CoV are presented
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