Pre-exposure and Post-exposure new prophylactic treatments against COVID-19 in healthcare workers

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 or novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection pandemic continues to spread. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Wuhan (China), healthcare workers have been infected and are considered at high risk of contamination. Moreover, in addition to the physical effects of COVID-19, the pandemic results in important mental health issues among healthcare workers such as anxiety, stress, depression, and further nervous or mental disorders. Despite the increasing number of clinical trials aiming to develop vaccines or test antiviral molecules, till now no efficient anti- SARS-CoV-2 drugs have been validated. The COVID-19 pandemic led us to call for an urgent nutritional intervention model that should be established to prevent and/or reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. In the present paper, we suggest a safe nutritional supplementation of MgZn- B vitamins (B1, B6, B9, and B12) in healthcare workers as pre-exposure and post-exposure new prophylactic treatments. Furthermore, the paper reports the scientific arguments and the possible mechanisms by which the Mg-Zn- B vitamins supplementation may exert its beneficial effects in the healthcare workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Mg-Zn- B vitamins supplementation would enhance the immune response against SARS-CoV2, prevent inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, fight or alleviate the COVID-19-related mental health issues, or even reduce the replication. Each element of the supplementation possesses important and promising effects contributing to the possible efficiency of the suggested Mg-ZnB vitamins supplementation in healthcare workers

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and anti-Candida albicans activities of Annona cherimola Mill. fruit pulp

Aims: The main objectives of the present study were to characterize the phytochemical profile of Annona cherimola Mill, to assess its antioxidant characteristics and its antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Methods and Material: Aqueous decoction, aqueous infusion, aqueous maceration, and methanolic maceration were screened for the presence of phytochemicals and to quantify content of phenolics, tannins, and flavonoids. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, as well the assessment of antifungal activity for the different extracts. Results: Results showed that phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins were present in the four extracts. The aqueous maceration extract presented the highest total phenolic content (3.687 mg GAE/g of extract). Decoction extract showed the lowest phenolic content 2.504 mg GAE/g. Besides, infusion showed the most important total flavonoids content (2.567mg CE/g). The most relevant total antioxidant activity was found for decoction (lowest IC50 12.61 mg/ml AAE). The aqueous maceration exhibited the less antioxidant activity (IC50= 21.98 mg/ml AAE). The best scavenging activity was observed for decoction (IC50=7.27 mg/mL). All the extracts showed a reducing capacity. Infusion exhibited the best reducing power (EC50 = 11.29 mg/mL), compared to decoction (EC50 = 39.32 mg/mL). Regarding antifungal activity, at 100 and 200 µg/mL, decoction and methanolic maceration resulted in 6 and 9 mm inhibition zone, respectively. In addition, at higher doses (800 and 2000 µg/mL), inhibition zone increased in a dose dependent manner for all the extracts. Conclusions: Annona cherimola Mill. could be an important source of bioactive molecules with antioxidant and antifungal activities