ABSTRACT
COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS - CoV - 2 pathogen, is currently a pandemic. At the moment there is not an available vaccine, so, scientific community is looking for strategies and drugs to implement prevention and prophylaxis. Several compounds are examined for this purpose. Glycyrrhizin, an alkaloid extracted from licorice plant (glycyrriza glabra), is one of the most studied molecules, both for its peculiar biological functions and for its pharmacological effects. This brief review aims to highlight the characteristics of glycyrrhizin for topical use on the nasal and ocular surfaces. The anti-inflammatory activity, the ability to inhibit the accumulation of ROS, the antiviral property, but, above all, the ability to bind the ACE receptor and the SARS - CoV-2 protein S in the extracellular environment make Glycyrrhizzin for topical use a compound with a high prophylactic potential for SARS - CoV - 2 infection, also due to its low cost and the absence of significant side effects.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Glycyrrhizic Acid , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Glycyrrhizic Acid/pharmacology , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Respiratory infections are a significant burden at any age, but especially in childhood and aging. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the issue since there is no specific treatment and vaccine is not available. Moreover, respiratory symptoms cause social stigma in subjects suffering from an infection of any kind. As new drugs require a very long time to be marketed, a natural compound's interest is growing. In this regard, lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein present in secretions, mainly in breast milk. Lactoferrin has marked antimicrobial activity, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal. Moreover, lactoferrin strongly affects immune response and cellular control activity. Therefore, this natural component could provide a promising effect in preventing respiratory infections and potentially also for COVID-19.