Could antioxidants play an important role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection?

Authors: Ada-Ioana Indrie¹, Ileana Monica Borda^1,2, Popa Florina³, Viorela Ciortea^1,2, Laszlo Irsay^1,2, Rodica Ana Ungur^1,2

Affiliation

¹ Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, Dept. of Rehabilitation, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

² ”Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Cluj

Napoca, Romania

³ ”Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of General

Surgery, Galati, Romania

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global public health problem for which no specific treatment has yet been discovered. Prevention recommendations issued by officials such as strict hand hygiene, wearing a mask, social distancing should also include recommendations for a diet rich in antioxidants and regular exercise, measures meant to increase the body’s resistance to this new virus. Excessive reactive oxygen species play an important role in acute respiratory failure or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, complications often encountered in severe forms of COVID-19 infection. It is thus very important to maintain the redox balance and prevent cellular damage. Vitamins such as vitamin D, C, A and E, minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, hormones such as melatonin and multiple polyphenols and phytotherapeutics are known in literature for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Vitamin C, zinc, Sambucus nigra extract and others are also known for their direct antiviral effects which prevent viral cell adhesion and replication, including viruses from the Corona family. There are many studies that indicate a beneficial effect of the antioxidants listed above. We believe they should be used more for prevention, but also for treating viral infections as they have been shown to shorten disease duration, lower tissue damage due to inflammation and also protect against the possible side effects of pharmaceutical medication.

Key words: corona viruses, COVID-19 disease, antioxidants, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, phytotherapy, exercise, diet.