High-efficiency preparation technology of sulforaphane: an overview

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate metabolite of cruciferous plants, which obtain antioxidant, anticancer and anti-COVID-19 functions. However, due to its unstable structure, it is easy to de-composite, thus the utilization of sulforaphane is difficult. With the advancement of the preparation of sulforaphane, the purpose of inhibiting sulforaphane inactivation and improving its utilization is expected to be realized. The existing preparation technologies are mainly myrosinase enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial transformation and chemical synthesis. Myrosinase enzymatic hydrolysis mainly utilizes endogenous myrosinase, exogenous myrosinase and heterologously expressed myrosinase. Myrosinase enzymatic hydrolysis technology not only obtain the advantage of high preparation efficiency, but also obtain the disadvantage that the activity of myrosinase cannot be stabilized. Microbial transformation mainly utilizes the function of microorganisms to convert glucosinolates to sulforaphane, and obtain the advantages of easy control of reaction conditions and low cost. Chemical synthesis mainly includes de novo synthesis and semi-synthesis, and semi-synthesis is the most widely used method at present. Chemical synthesis obtains the advantages of easy control of reaction conditions, but chemical synthesis techniques have the problems of high risk and low yield. This research reviews the preparation technology of sulforaphane, aiming to provide a reference for the efficient utilization of sulforaphane and its product development.

Comparison of Vitamin D and Resveratrol Performances in COVID-19.

Over the last few years, we have experienced the infection generated by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) often resulting in an exaggerated immune reaction and systemic inflammation. The preferred treatments against SARS-CoV-2 were those that mitigated immunological/inflammatory dysfunction. A variety of observational epidemiological studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency is often a crucial factor in many inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases, as well as the susceptibility to contract infectious diseases, including acute respiratory infections. Similarly, resveratrol regulates immunity, modifying the gene expression and the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the immune cells. Therefore, it plays an immunomodulatory role that can be beneficial in the prevention and development of non-communicable diseases associated with inflammation. Since both vitamin D and resveratrol also act as immunomodulators in inflammatory pathologies, many studies have paid particular attention to an integrated treatment of either vitamin D or resveratrol in the immune reaction against SARS-CoV-2 infections. This article offers a critical evaluation of published clinical trials that have examined the use of vitamin D or resveratrol as adjuncts in COVID-19 management. Furthermore, we aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties linked to the modulation of the immune system, along with antiviral properties of both vitamin D and resveratrol.

Rice as one of antioxidant source for farming family in COVID-19 pandemic: a case study from West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

The main food consumption of farming families is an important concern during the pandemic. Farmers in West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) survive with the availability of rice to support household health and food security during the pandemic. In addition to its nutritional content, rice also contains phenolic compounds and has antioxidant activity. This study aims are to measure the frequency of rice consumption, food variety, varieties of rice consumed daily during the pandemic in WNT, as well as the antioxidant properties of several rice varieties grown in WNT. This study was conducted from September 2020 to June 2021 in East Lombok, Sumbawa and Bima Regencies, WNT Province, Indonesia using a survey approach. The data collection techniques were observation, Focus Group Discussion, recording, interviews with 74 respondents with a semi-structured questionnaire and study literature related to the nutritional content and bioactive compound of the rice. Quantitative data was tabulated to determine the frequency and average then descriptively analyzed, while qualitative data was thematically analysed. The most consumed rice varieties are seen from the production data of seed breeders in the WNT region, the phenolic content was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu, antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH assay. The result showed that the highest portion of food consumed by farmer households in WNT is rice. The most variety of rice produced by breeders is the Inpari 32 variety. There are about 97% of farmers consume rice for 3 times a day, while 3% of the remaining consume 2 times a day of rice. Food variety includes 7.9% vegetable-rice and 92.1% rice-vegetables-meat protein. The results of the analysis of antioxidant properties and phenolic content in rice is depending on the variety. The antioxidant properties of the Jeliteng, Baroma, Pamelen, Nutrizinc and Inpari 32 rice varieties were 44.85+or-0.51%, 9.87+or-1.55%, 9.96+or-1.22%, 9.75+or-1.09%, and 14.305+or-1.24%, respectively, while the phenolic contents were 9.76+or-0.09, 4.23+or-0.03, 4.48+or-0.02, 4.64+or- 0.07, 4.58+or-0.42 mg GAE/g dryrice extract, respectively. The results of this study indicate that rice has been used as one of antioxidants source for farming families during the pandemic.

Health Benefits, Therapeutic Applications, and Recent Advances of Cirsilineol in the Medicine: Potential Bioactive Natural Flavonoids of Genus Artemisia.

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicine and its derived products have been used in the medicine and nutraceutical sectors for the treatment of human disorders and associated secondary complications. Plant-derived products play an important role in our daily life due to their medicinal properties and pharmacological activities. The attention of scientists to natural products has increased due to their significant biological activities. Flavonoids represent one of the most important phytocompounds present in the higher plants, common fruits, vegetables, herbs, wine, juices, and dried fruits. Flavonoids exert potent antioxidant activity by blocking and scavenging free radicals. Cirsilineol, also called 4',5-dihydroxy-3',6,7-trimethoxyflavone, is an active phytochemical of Artemisia vestita, Artemisia monosperma, Artemisia asiatica, and Agrostis gigantea. METHODS: Medicinal importance and pharmacological activities of cirsilineol have been investigated in the present work with their analytical aspects in order to know the biological importance of cirsilineol in medicine. Literature data on cirsilineol were collected and analyzed in the present work to study its therapeutic potential against various human disorders and associated secondary complications. Scientific data were collected from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus and analyzed in the present work using the term herbal medicine, flavonoid and cirsilineol. RESULTS: Medicinal plants containing a significant amount of cirsilineol have biological applications in medicine due to their pharmacological activities. This present work signifies the biological importance of cirsilineol in medicine as it has anti-proliferative, gastroprotective, anti-Helicobacter pylori, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activities. Further therapeutic effectiveness of cirsilineol against different types of cancers, including breast carcinoma and lung carcinoma, has been discussed in the present work. The biological importance of cirsilineol against allergic rhinitis, inflammation, coronavirus, immune system, renal cellular membrane and protein glycation has also been discussed in the present work. However, the importance of analytical methods for the isolation and identification of cirsilineol in medicine has also been analyzed. CONCLUSION: This work aimed to summarize the health-beneficial aspects of cirsilineol in medicine which will be beneficial to explore the further therapeutic effectiveness of cirsilineol for the treatment of various forms of human disorders.

Evaluation of berberine pellet effect on clinical recovery time in COVID-19 outpatients: a pilot clinical trial

Objective: Severe disease onset of COVID-19 may result in alveolar injury and respiratory failure. Apoptosis and inflammation are the main causes of respiratory distress syndrome. Berberine is used in medicine as an analgesic, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral. In the current investigation, the effect of berberine on COVID-19 outpatients was studied. Materials and Methods: The present clinical trial was performed on 40 outpatients who were randomly assigned to berberine (300 mg, TID, 2 weeks) (n=19) or placebo groups (n=21). Both groups received standard therapy and they were monitored on days 3, 7, and 14 after the beginning of the therapy for clinical symptoms' improvement, quantitative CRP, lymphopenia, CBC, and SpO2. The severity and frequency of these symptoms and the level of the parameters were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: On days 0, 3, 7, and 14, there was no significant difference between the berberine and placebo groups in the improvement of clinical symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, dizziness, sore throat, stomachache, body aches, and body temperature), quantitative CRP, lymphopenia, WBC, neutrophils, platelets, or SpO2. Conclusion: Berberine (300 mg, TID, two weeks) is ineffective in treating COVID-19. More research with a larger sample size is needed to investigate different berberine dosages in other pharmaceutical formulations.

A study of antioxidant and physicochemical stability in antipyretic decoction of traditional Lanna recipe

During the current COVID-19 outbreak, Thai traditional antipyretic recipes and antipyretic herbs have been widely studied. Antipyretic Thai/Lanna herbal decoction for relieving fever in the North consists of Tinospora crispa, Rhinacanthus nasutus, Sauropus androgynus and Alstonia scholaris. This research aimed to study the physical stability, pH, sedimentation, and color of the Lanna antipyretic decoction at 4 degrees C 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C with 75 +or- 5% RH for 7 days. The testing included the Folin Ciocalteu method for quantifying total phenolic content, the aluminium chloride colorimetry for flavonoid content, and the DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS methods for antioxidant activities. The results demonstrated that, for the decoction, the pH values at various temperatures dropped with storage time, the sediment amounts increased with storage time, but its color did not change at 4 degrees C. Its total phenolic and flavonoid contents rose with storage time. The total phenolic contents in mg GAE/g extract at Days 0 and 7 were 161.13 +or- 5.62 and 15.34 +or- 6.21 at 4 degrees C, 160.53 +or- 11.78 and 14.32 +or- 1.13 at 25 degrees C, and 160.09 +or- 7.39 and 12.82 +or- 6.91 at 40 degrees C, respectively;while the flavonoid contents in mgQE/g extract at Days 0 and 7 were 20.32 +or- 0.43 and 7.80 +or- 0.34 at 4 degrees C, 20.10 +or- 0.47 and 7.27 +or- 0.20 at 25 degrees C, and 20.06 +or- 0.55 and 6.63 +or- 0.43 at 40 degrees C, respectively. The decoction's free radical inhibition (IC50) values at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C by DPPH ranged from 14.74 +or- 0.04 to 23.18 +or- 0.72%w/w;and by ABTS the values ranged from 2.63 +or- 0.12 to 3.95 +or- 0.05%w/w. At the storage temperature of 4 degrees C, the decoction showed the best physical stability. Thus, the results can be used in setting up storage guidelines for Thai traditional and folk decoctions to ensue the best stability.

COVID-19: honey as a potential adjuvant treatment

This article sums up the possible impact of honey in the amelioration of COVID-19 induced recognized pathogenesis. The pandemic due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 infected thousands of individuals round the globe. The indicator of COVID-19 infection suggests that increased inflammation, oxidation, and an overstressed immune reaction are key contributor of COVID-19 pathogenesis. This overstressed immune response leads to numerous cytokine production and consequently and led to the development of severe injury in lungs (ALI)/acute respiratory distress disorder and in some conditions becomes reason of death. Honey is formed when honey bees collect nectar from various, and then process it to form the honey. It is a natural remedy to reduce the incidence of various diseases, due to its potential anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immune booster, antiviral, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, anti-proliferative, cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal diseases and anti-metastatic properties. Honey has been used for the curing of bronchial asthma, throat infections, tuberculosis, thirst, hiccups, fatigue, and hepatitis and also for the ALI/ARDS treatment caused by virus or any other pathogen. Doctors recommend honey as a nutritional supplement to boost the immunity of patients under critical conditions, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, viral infections that confirm that honey may be used to combat the infection and other complications caused by COVID-19 pandemic. There are many reports which reveal that honey may be used in bacterial and viral infections such as COVID-19, however, further experimental studies are required to validate these speculations.

Fenofibrate and statins in patients with COVID-19

Statins, which are widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, upregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, which happen to be SARS-CoV-2's gateway into cells. This study aims to analyse the effects of Fenofibrate in comparison to Statins and a control group in patients with COVID-19. This is a retrospective open blind observational study of cohort of 300 patients experienced COVID-19 (symptoms' severity varied between patients). The participants were divided into three cohorts;a control group received standard COVID-19 treatment (n=100);a second group (n=100) of patients who were on Statins, in addition they received the standard treatment;and a third cohort for patients who were already taking Fenofibrate (TRICORR) as a medication to treat hyperlipidemia (n=100). Most symptoms (including cough, exertional dyspnoea, SOB, sore throat, sneezing, headache, tiredness, agitation, diarrhoea, joint pain, insomnia, myalgia, and fatigue) were less prevalent for patients who administered antihyperlipidemic drugs compared to the control group. Patients who were already taking Cholesterol-lowering medication presented with symptoms varied between mild to severe. Patients on Statins or Fenofibrate also showed less tachycardia and tachypnoea compared to those who were not on antihyperlipidemic drugs, and also the need for oxygen and ICU admission were less frequent. The length of stay in hospital was shorter in patients who were already on Statins or Fenofibrate. Both Statins and Fenofibrate have improved the outcome and the severity of symptoms for patients with Covid 19 infection.

Effects of Resveratrol on Pulmonary Fibrosis via TGF-ß/Smad/ERK Signaling Pathway.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive pulmonary disease with no effective treatment and high mortality. Resveratrol has shown promising benefits in the treatment of PF. However, the probable efficacy and underlying mechanism of resveratrol in PF treatment remain unclear. This study investigates the intervention effects and potential mechanisms underpinning the treatment of PF with resveratrol. The histopathological analysis of lung tissues in PF rats showed that resveratrol improved collagen deposition and reduced inflammation. Resveratrol decreased the levels of collagen, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, and hydroxyproline, lowered total anti-oxidant capacity, and suppressed the migration of TGF-[Formula: see text]1 and LPS-induced 3T6 fibroblasts. With resveratrol intervention, the protein and RNA expressions of TGF-[Formula: see text]1, a-SMA, Smad3/4, p-Smad3/4, CTGF, and p-ERK1/2 were markedly downregulated. Similarly, the protein and RNA expression levels of Col-1 and Col-3 were significantly downregulated. However, Smad7 and ERK1/2 were evidently upregulated. The protein and mRNA expression levels of TGF-[Formula: see text], Smad, and p-ERK correlated positively with the lung index, while the protein and mRNA expression levels of ERK correlated negatively with the lung index. These results reveal that resveratrol may have therapeutic effects on PF by reducing collagen deposition, oxidation, and inflammation. The mechanism is associated with the regulation of the TGF-[Formula: see text]/Smad/ERK signaling pathway.

Advancement in Beneficial Effects of AVE 0991: A Brief Review.

AVE 0991, a non-peptide analogue of Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], is orally active and physiologically well tolerated. Several studies have demonstrated that AVE 0991 improves glucose and lipid metabolism, and contains anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrosis, and anti-oxidant effects. Numerous preclinical studies have also reported that AVE 0991 appears to have beneficial effects on a variety of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular, liver, kidney, cancer, diabetes, and nervous system diseases. This study searched multiple literature databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and the ClinicalTrials.gov website from the establishment to October 2022, using AVE 0991 as a keyword. This literature search revealed that AVE 0991 could play different roles via various signaling pathways. However, the potential mechanisms of these effects need further elucidation. This review summarizes the benefits of AVE 0991 in several medical problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also describes the underlying mechanisms of AVE 0991, giving in-depth insights and perspectives on the pharmaceutical value of AVE 0991 in drug discovery and development.

A review article on neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory role of vitamin-D3 in elderly COVID-19 patients.

Vitamin D3 is a secosteroid, broad-spectrum immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory hormone produced either by the internal subcutaneous pathway in the presence of ultraviolet B (UVB) rays or by the external pathway in the form of supplements. Vitamin D3 deficiency is a common and reversible contributor to mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients, including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral infections. The major functions of vitamin D3 are inhibiting the proinflammatory pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (ILs-6), interleukin-18 (ILs-18), and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), preventing the loss of neural sensation in COVID-19, maintaining respiratory homeostasis, and acting as an antiviral, antimalarial, and antihypertensive agent. Vitamin D3 has an important role in reversing the COVID-19 infection in patients who have previously suffered from a neurological disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, stroke, cardiovascular problems, headache, sleep-associated disorder, and others. Moreover, vitamin D3 plays a key role in regulating the gene expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition to the information provided above, the current review article provides the most recent information on Vitamin D against COVID-19 with comorbid neurological disorders. Furthermore, we present the most recent advancement and molecular mechanism of action of vitamin D3. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders are comorbid conditions, and vitamin D3 is a critical regulator of COVID-19 infection during these conditions. In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, factors such as sex, latitudes, nutrition, demography, pollution, and gut microbiota warrants for additional research on vitamin D supplements.

Natural and Semi-Synthetic Flavonoid Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents for the Treatment of Long COVID-19 Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders of Cognitive Decline.

The aim of this review is to highlight the beneficial attributes of flavonoids, a diverse family of widely-distributed polyphenolic phytochemicals that have beneficial cell and tissue protective properties. Phytochemicals are widely distributed in plants, herbs and shrubs used in traditional complimentary medical formulations for centuries. The bioactive components that convey beneficial medicinal effects in these complex herbal preparations are now being identified using network pharmacology and molecular docking procedures that identify their molecular targets. Flavonoids have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties that have inspired the development of potent multifunctional derivatised flavonoids of improved efficacy. The antiviral properties of flavonoids and the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in a resurgence of interest in phytochemicals in the search for efficacious compounds that can prevent viral infection or replication, with many promising plant compounds identified. Promising semi-synthetic flavonoid derivatives have also been developed that inhibit multiple pathological neurodegenerative processes; these offer considerable promise in the treatment of diseases of cognitive decline. Clinical trials are currently being undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplements rich in flavonoids for the treatment of virally-mediated diseases. Such trials are expected to identify flavonoids with cell and tissue protective properties that can be harnessed in biomedical applications that may serve as supportive adjunctive procedures to conventional anti-viral drug therapies against diseases such as COVID-19.

Ginkgo biloba in the relief of neurological symptoms after COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, multi-organ, with a wide spectrum of symptoms, the most common being pneumonia with fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. There are more and more reports of persistent long-term effects, especially after acute disease. Regardless of the way the virus enters the brain, it attacks neurons, contributing to neurological complications. The main symptoms of the central and peripheral nervous system are dizziness and headaches, impaired consciousness, sometimes acute ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhages, loss of taste and smell, visual disturbances, neuralgia and skeletal muscle damage. After recovery, patients experience symptoms such as persistent fatigue, diffuse muscle aches, symptoms of depression, non-renewable sleep, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. Early intervention and supportive care at the end of the acute phase of COVID-19 could alleviate the symptoms of the disease as well as prevent their long-term consequences. Taking into account plant raw materials, the standardized extract of Ginkgo leaves (Ginkgo biloba) may be useful at various stages of the disease: it prevents the penetration of the virus into the host cells, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antithrombotic properties, and above all, it is the only plant material with proven neuroprotective and neuroregulatory properties, widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases and disorders related to the nervous system.

The Mito-Hormetic Mechanisms of Ozone in the Clearance of SARS-CoV2 and in the COVID-19 Therapy.

An increasing body of evidence in the literature is reporting the feasibility of using medical ozone as a possible alternative and adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 patients, significantly reducing hospitalization time, pro-inflammatory indicators, and coagulation markers and improving blood oxygenation parameters. In addition to the well-described ability of medical ozone in counteracting oxidative stress through the upregulation of the main anti-oxidant and scavenging enzymes, oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) therapy has also proved effective in reducing chronic inflammation and the occurrence of immune thrombosis, two key players involved in COVID-19 exacerbation and severity. As chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are also reported to be among the main drivers of the long sequelae of SARS-CoV2 infection, a rising number of studies is investigating the potential of O2-O3 therapy to reduce and/or prevent the wide range of post-COVID (or PASC)-related disorders. This narrative review aims to describe the molecular mechanisms through which medical ozone acts, to summarize the clinical evidence on the use of O2-O3 therapy as an alternative and adjuvant COVID-19 treatment, and to discuss the emerging potential of this approach in the context of PASC symptoms, thus offering new insights into effective and safe nonantiviral therapies for the fighting of this devastating pandemic.

Atorvastatin efficacy in the management of mild to moderate hospitalized COVID-19: a pilot randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Statins are first-line lipid-lowering agents with tolerable adverse reactions, low cost, and high availability worldwide. The potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory effects of statins propose them as an option to face COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVE: In this randomized triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, we have investigated the atorvastatin efficacy in the management of mild to moderate hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS: In this study, 52 mild to moderate hospitalized COVID-19 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were allocated to the treatment group to receive 40 mg atorvastatin orally once daily for two weeks (n=26) or the placebo group (n=26). Patients' symptoms and laboratory investigations were assessed at baseline and during the follow-up period. We also evaluated the duration of hospitalization and supplemental oxygen therapy as endpoints. RESULTS: After 14-day of follow-up, the oxygen saturation (SaO2) was significantly higher, and the serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was lower in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Moreover, at the end of the follow-up in the treatment group, the lymphocyte count was higher, and the duration of symptom resolution was shorter but not significant. Additionally, in the treatment group length of supplemental oxygen therapy and hospitalization duration were meaningfully shorter. Our results revealed that the mortality rate was almost twice higher in the placebo group compared with the treatment group, without any significant adverse drug reaction. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin significantly reduces supplemental oxygen need, hospitalization duration, and serum hs-CRP level in mild to moderate hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Actional Mechanisms of Active Ingredients in Functional Food Adlay for Human Health.

Medicinal and food homologous adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) plays an important role in natural products promoting human health. We demonstrated the systematic actional mechanism of functional ingredients in adlay to promote human health, based on the PubMed, CNKI, Google, and ISI Web of Science databases from 1988 to 2022. Adlay and its extracts are rich in 30 ingredients with more than 20 health effects based on human and animal or cell cultures: they are anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, liver protective, anti-virus, gastroprotective, cardiovascular protective, anti-hypertension, heart disease preventive, melanogenesis inhibiting, anti-allergy, endocrine regulating, anti-diabetes, anti-cachexia, osteoporosis preventive, analgesic, neuroprotecting, suitable for the treatment of gout arthritis, life extending, anti-fungi, and detoxifying effects. Function components with anti-oxidants are rich in adlay. These results support the notion that adlay seeds may be one of the best functional foods and further reveal the action mechanism of six major functional ingredients (oils, polysaccharides, phenols, phytosterols, coixol, and resistant starch) for combating diseases. This review paper not only reveals the action mechanisms of adding adlay to the diet to overcome 17 human diseases, but also provides a scientific basis for the development of functional foods and drugs for the treatment of human diseases.

Lutein and astaxanthin as dietary support of therapy

Lutein and astaxanthin belong to carotenoids which have wide applications in food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. The total chemical syntheses of lutein and astaxanthin produces a mixture of stereoisomers. Both carotenoids are extracted from the plant material as the mixture of mono- and diesters. Lutein is extracted from marigold and tagetes flowers. Lutein supplementation increases its concentration in blood serum and in the macula of the eye. There is increasing evidence that lutein is important in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and may improve eye health. Astaxanthin is extracted from the Haematococcus pluvialis algae. Due to its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, they can be used to support the treatment of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, eye diseases, and to supplement the diet of COVID-19 patients.

An overview of possible pivotal mechanisms of Genistein as a potential phytochemical against SARS-CoV-2 infection: A hypothesis.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is a global problem that humanity has not yet found a definitive solution for it. In this regard, a global effort has been done to find effective or potential adjuvant therapies in order to fight this infection. Genistein is a small, biologically active phytoestrogen flavonoid that is found in high amounts in soy and plants of the Fabaceae family. This important compound is known due to its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Additionally, protective effects of genistein have been reported in different pathological conditions through modulating intracellular pathways such as PI3K, Akt, mTOR, NF-κB, PPARγ, AMPK, and Nrf2. Scientific evidence suggests that genistein could have a potential role to treat COVID-19 through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Furthermore, it appears to interfere with intracellular pathways involved in viral entry into the cell. This review provides a basis for further research and development of clinical applications of genistein as a potential alternative therapy to decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has brought unprecedented untold hardship to both developing and developed countries. The inflammation, cytokine storm, and oxidative stress have an important role in the pathogenesis of this infection. In this regard, finding plant-derived compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects would be very beneficial in reducing the mortality induced by this infection. Genistein an isoflavone derived from soy-rich products possesses versatile biological activities. It has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative and immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, this compound may prevent viral entry to host cells and reduce SARS-CoV2-induced lung injury. Therefore, we suggest further studies on the effects of genistein on SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Exploring the mechanism of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair in the intervention of COVID-19 by using network pharmacology and molecular docking technique. Methods The database TCMSP was retrieved for the chemical constituents and targets of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair. Coronavirus disease targets were screened by the Gene Cards, OMIM,TTD, PharmGkb and DrugBank database. Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct the drug-component-target network. The PPI(protein-protein interaction) network was obtained by drug-disease intersection targets, and the core genes were found through CytoNCA plug-in. Meanwhile, GO(gene ontology) analysis and KEGG(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway analysis were performed by using Bioconductor database to predict the mechanism. AutoDock Tools 1.5.6 software was used to simulate the molecular docking of the main active ingredients with the novel coronavirus key binding site protein [SARS-CoV-2 main protease(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 main protease, Mpro) and ACE2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2)]. Results A total of 7 active ingredients of Platycodonis Radix,92 active ingredients of Licorice,2766 drug targets, and 674 disease targets were obtained, and 67 drug-disease common targets were excavated. The key targets involved RELA,STAT1,MAPK3,TP53,MAPK1,MAPK8,STAT3,MAPK14,IL1 B and TNF by the database STRING and CytoNCA plug-in.Go enrichment analysis showed that the main functions of Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair on the intervention of COVID-19 were antioxidant reaction, cell respond to chemical stress, regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways, reaction to lipopolysaccharides and reaction to bacteria-derived molecules, etc.. KEGG pathways involved Coronavirus disease-COVID-19 pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway and so on, were mainly associated with immune response, inflammation-related pathways, inhibition of viral infection, and other inhibition of cancer. The molecular docking results showed that glepidotin A,quercetin, licochalcone a and luteolin had good binding ability with Mpro and ACE2. Conclusion Platycodonis Radix-Licorice drug pair act on SARS-CoV-2 through multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple channel combination. And the main active ingredients have a fine binding ability with Mpro and ACE2. The method can provide theoretical support for the possibility of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) against COVID-19.

An evaluation on potential anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocin.

Crocin, an active ingredient derived from saffron, is one of the herbal components that has recently been considered by researchers. Crocin has been shown to have many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and therefore can be used to treat various diseases. It has been shown that Crocin has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. In addition, the role of this substance in COVID-19 pandemic has been identified. In this review article, we tried to have a comprehensive review of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocin in different diseases and different tissues. In conclusion, Crocin may be helpful in pathological conditions that are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.