Multiplex Testing of Oxidative-Reductive Pathway in Patients with COVID-19.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, causes numerous cellular dysfunctions. The virus enters the host cells and hijacks the cell machinery for its replication, resulting in disturbances of the oxidative, reductive balance, increased production of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial dysfunction. This damaging cycle can make cells less resistant to infection and make the host more likely to experience a severe disease course. Treatment with antioxidants has been tested as a potential approach to reduce the effects of this disorder. Here, we present a protocol to assess the impact of treatment with a mixture of curcuminoids on physiological and molecular biomarkers, focusing on determining total antioxidant capacity. We used a cohort of diabetes patients with an imbalance in redox mechanisms as such patients are more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 than healthy persons.

Pharmaceutical Prospects of Curcuminoids for the Remedy of COVID-19: Truth or Myth.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is a positive-strand RNA virus, and has rapidly spread worldwide as a pandemic. The vaccines, repurposed drugs, and specific treatments have led to a surge of novel therapies and guidelines nowadays; however, the epidemic of COVID-19 is not yet fully combated and is still in a vital crisis. In repositioning drugs, natural products are gaining attention because of the large therapeutic window and potent antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Of note, the predominant curcumoid extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) including phenolic curcumin influences multiple signaling pathways and has demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, wound healing, chemopreventive, chemosensitizing, and radiosensitizing spectrums. In this review, all pieces of current information related to curcumin-used for the treatment and prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies, clinical trials, and new formulation designs are retrieved to re-evaluate the applications based on the pharmaceutical efficacy of clinical therapy and to provide deep insights into knowledge and strategy about the curcumin's role as an immune booster, inflammatory modulator, and therapeutic agent against COVID-19. Moreover, this study will also afford a favorable application or approach with evidence based on the drug discovery and development, pharmacology, functional foods, and nutraceuticals for effectively fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Possible Mechanisms and Special Clinical Considerations of Curcumin Supplementation in Patients with COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was recognized in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The proportion of potentially fatal coronavirus infections may vary by location, age, and underlying risk factors. However, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most frequent complication and leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agents have received great attention as therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. Here, we review potential mechanisms and special clinical considerations of supplementation with curcumin as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound in the setting of COVID-19 clinical research.

Trace Minerals, Vitamins and Nutraceuticals in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first officially diagnosed in the city of Wuhan, China in January 2020. In reality, the disease was identified in December 2019 in the same city where patients began showing symptoms of pneumonia of unidentified origin. Very soon the disease became a global pandemic due to the suppression of information in the country of origin and inadequate testing for the COVID-19 virus. Currently, > 101 million people have been found positive for this virus and > 2.17 million people have died. There are no signs that COVID-19 is slowing down. This deadly virus affects multiple vital organs (lungs, heart, nervous system, blood, and immune system), yet its exact mechanism of pathophysiology remains obscure. Depending on the viral load, sick people often show symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, coagulopathy, cardiac abnormalities, fatigue, and death. Great strides have been made in COVID-19 testing, thereby allowing timely therapeutic intervention. Currently, vaccines are on the market from Pfizer, Moderna and Astra Zeneca with limited supply. Phase III clinical trials are also underway from other manufacturers. In the current scenario, nutraceuticals and other phyto-mineral supplements appear to be promising alternative solutions for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Anti-inflammatory effects of oral supplementation with curcumin: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to the development of noncommunicable diseases. Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol from turmeric, is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent in preclinical research. Clinical evidence remains inconclusive because of discrepancies regarding optimal dosage, duration, and formulation of curcumin. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review, conducted and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and checklist, was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin supplementation on systemic inflammatory mediators, comparing dose, duration, and bioavailability status of interventions. DATA SOURCES: The Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane literature databases were searched from 1980 to May-end 2019. Randomized controlled trials investigating effects of dietary curcumin on inflammatory mediators in humans not receiving anti-inflammatory treatment were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently assessed titles and abstracts of identified articles for potential eligibility and respective, retrieved, full-text articles; disagreements were resolved by a third author. Evidence quality was critically appraised using the Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research. DATA EXTRACTION: Thirty-two trials (N = 2,038 participants) were included and 28 were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model; effect sizes were expressed as Hedges' g (95%CI). DATA ANALYSIS: Pooled data (reported here as weighted mean difference [WMD]; 95%CI) showed a reduction in C-reactive protein (-1.55 mg/L; -1.81 to -1.30), interleukin-6 (-1.69 pg/mL, -2.56 to -0.82), tumor necrosis factor α (-3.13 pg/mL; -4.62 to -1.64), IL-8 (-0.54 pg/mL; -0.82 to -0.28), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (-2.48 pg/mL; -3.96 to -1.00), and an increase in IL-10 (0.49 pg/mL; 0.10 to 0.88), with no effect on intracellular adhesion molecule-1. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin and support further investigation to confirm dose, duration, and formulation to optimize anti-inflammatory effects in humans with chronic inflammation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019148682.