Effect of viral infection on brain functions and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 on our thinking and mood (preprint)

Background: Viral infections such as measles virus (MV), herpes virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can lead to transient or permanent neurological or psychiatric dysfunction. However, respiratory system affecting viruses have appeared as an unbeatable challenge to the modern world. They include the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), the influenza virus (IV), and the coronavirus (CoV). They cause acute respiratory infections mainly children under 5 years old and also the elderly. The most frequent clinical manifestations are febrile or afebrile seizures, status epilepticus, encephalopathies, and encephalitis. Objective: The objective of this review is to assess the effect of COVID-19 on our mood and thinking during this pandemic. Method: We reviewed the literature using different databases e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science direct etc. Results: Viral Infections badly affect the nervous system functions and ultimate can lead to the onset of neurological and psychological illnesses. Conclusion: COVID-19 is somehow causing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and stress. As a consequence, social distancing has increased that has ultimately modified our thinking style, mood and has lead to the psychological, emotional and behavioral changes. Review Criteria We reviewed the literature using different databases e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, etc. from 1997 to 2021 without language limitations. Message for the clinic It is clear that COVID-19 causes cardiac, respiratory, renal, and gastrointestinal dysfunctions and has also a direct effect on brain functioning resulting in psychological and behavioral changes. Along with other dysfunctions, it has severely affected the living style of people and brought depression, anxiety, panic attacks, loneliness, and self-deprecation. It is highly recommended that while treating such patients, all these aspects should be kept in mind. Hence, not only medication can ameliorate the side impacts of this infection but counseling is another tool to bring positive impact in those respondents.

Natural Immune Boosters as First-Line Armours to Combat Viral Infection-COVID19: Myth or Science? (preprint)

The coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic has wreaked havoc on inhabitants of earth killing thousands of humans from more than 150 countries. The epidemic has put a number of countries under complete lockdown and the deadly situation is still prevailing around the globe. Vaccines have been long known as the most effective means of preventing viral infections. However, the lack of vaccines against COVID-19 has further worsened the situation. In this time of health crisis, it is the duty of scientific research community to provide alternative, effective and affordable strategies to vaccinate human bodies against viral infections-COVID-19 based on focused experimental approaches. Growing evidence suggests that certain natural foods and lifestyle changes have potential to optimize immune functions against viral infections including improving defense function, resistance towards invading pathogens, while maintaining self-tolerance. Boosting immune system gives an edge in fending off viruses and staying healthy. This review presents the six smart steps to add to your to-do list which let the inner work of immunity take place against viral infections-COVID-19 by dissolving the powers of disease and illness. Many of these factors are associated in their functions to improve or properly maintain the immune function such as promoting anti-inflammatory functions, inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators, modulating cell-mediated immunity, altering the antigen-presenting cellular functions as well as promoting communication between the innate and adaptive immune responses. Thus, a scientific illustration of boosting the immune system by proper sleep, moderate exercise, avoiding stress, utilizing vitamins enriched foods, intake of more water and use of fruits and vegetables will hopefully help the community to deal with the coronavirus by vaccinating the human systems naturally.

Identification of Potent COVID-19 Main Protease (Mpro) Inhibitors from Natural Polyphenols: An in Silico Strategy Unveils a Hope against CORONA (preprint)

COVID-19, a rapidly spreading new strain of coronavirus, has affected more than 150 countries and received worldwide attention. The lack of efficacious drugs or vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has further worsened the situation. Thus, there is an urgent need to boost up research for the development of effective therapeutics and affordable diagnostic against COVID-19. The crystallized form of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) was demonstrated by a Chinese researcher Liu et al. (2020) which is a novel therapeutic drug target. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of medicinal plant-based bioactive compounds against COVID-19 Mpro by molecular docking study. Molecular docking investigations were performed by using Molegro Virtual Docker 7 to analyze the inhibition probability of these compounds against COVID-19. COVID-19 Mpro was docked with 80 flavonoid compounds and the binding energies were obtained from the docking of (PDB ID: 6LU7: Resolution 2.16 Å) with the native ligand. According to obtained results, hesperidin, rutin, diosmin, apiin, diacetylcurcumin, (E)-1-(2-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-[3-[(E)-3-(2-hydroxy-4- methoxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one, and beta,beta'-(4-Methoxy-1,3- phenylene)bis(2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxyacrylophenone have been found as more effective on COVID-19 than nelfinavir. So, this study will pave a way for doing advanced experimental research to evaluate the real medicinal potential of these compounds to cure COVID-19.