Glycyrrhizin for topical use and prophylaxis of COVID-19: an interesting pharmacological perspective.

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.

Lactoferrin: a potential candidate to fight respiratory infections in the pandemic COVID-19 era.

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.

Prevention and treatment of upper respiratory diseases in the pandemic COVID-19 era.

In the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, the need to use preventive-curative treatments is compelling. A series of non-pharmacological compounds, including oligo-elements, vitamins, nutraceuticals, and bacteriotherapy, might affect the risk of COVID-19, both reinforcing the immune system and improving the inflammation resolution during respiratory infections. Non-pharmacological remedies are very popular and usually have no relevant side effects. Bacterial and natural products may potentiate the immune system against respiratory viruses. Moreover, these compounds also exert antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity. Consequently, these non-chemical remedies could be prescribed to build up the immune defence and adequately treat the upper respiratory infection. In this way, natural compounds could be used to manage people in the pandemic COVID-19 era.

The management of upper airway diseases: an ongoing challenge for the clinician.

Upper airway diseases are widespread in clinical practice. However, some aspects are still debated. The current supplement presents and discusses the most common disorders encountered in daily medical activity. The COVID-19 dramatic pandemic requires an urgent solution. Promising non-pharmacological agents are discussed. Chronic diseases are frequent in childhood, so to know risk factors is useful in their management. Allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis should be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but complementary compounds should be alternated to preserve health. Empty nose syndrome is a frequent complication of nasal surgery and requires adequate staging and hydrating procedure. Lastly, laryngopharyngeal reflux is an intriguing challenge for the clinician. Alginates represent a safe and effective way to relieve LPR symptoms.