Posted on 06/09/2021 2:22:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to ravage the globe, with cases reaching over 173 million. To date, there is still no approved therapeutics for the infection, but several treatments are being tested to prevent severe illness.
For the pandemic to be controlled and reduced, it is critical for effective treatments to be developed.
Researchers at the University of Catania in Italy investigated whether natural compounds could prevent disease progression. Their study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that iron chelators and protease inhibitors can counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Dysregulated iron homeostasis
A dysregulated iron homeostasis is a potential cause of diffuse endothelial inflammation, causing oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
A range of respiratory illnesses, including pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are tied to higher iron levels that may promote the course of the viral infection. ARDS is a complication reported in COVID-19 patients.
Currently, a few iron chelators are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use, including Deferasirox and Deferoxamine. These dugs have a selective and robust affinity with iron ions and can bind free iron to remove it from iron-storing proteins.
Since recent studies have shown that natural components could serve as the first barrier against viral injury, scientists aim to determine the preventive role of lactoferrin, which is a glycoprotein in the body that plays a key role against viral infections. This glycoprotein can also regulate iron metabolism.
Meanwhile, proteases are the enzymes involved in proteolysis, a process of protein catabolism by hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Proteolytic processes are viral for normal body functions such as angiogenesis, digestion, and bone remodeling. In enveloped viruses, proteolytic activation is an important phase for binding with the host cell, causing infection.
Many protease inhibitors have been considered potential drugs to combat viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Iron chelators and viral protease inhibitors
In the current study, the team suggested that several natural products, working as iron chelators and viral protease inhibitors, could help control the inflammatory condition and the relative oxidative stress after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
To arrive at the study findings, the researchers performed docking studies to determine all the potential compounds. They downloaded the protease coordinates from the protein databank. From there, the team identified some natural products that we're able to counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection, acting both as iron chelators and protease inhibitors.
Some of these include alpha-lipoic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, phytic acid, and curcumin.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural substance in the body, an antioxidant, and a metal chelator. It allows the reduction of the oxidized forms of many antioxidant agents, like vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione.
Quercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonoid, found enriched in cranberry, onions, blueberry, apples, and tea. As a polyphenol compound, it is considered a potent iron chelator.
Deferoxamine, a type of quercetin, reduces serum and tissue iron, enhancing the inflammatory condition. It reduces interleukin-6 (IL-6) and increases interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression.
Past studies have also shown that quercetin showed potent ability against some viruses, such as enterovirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
Another natural product noted was caffeic acid (CA), a phenolic compound produced by the secondary metabolism in plants. Recent evidence has demonstrated that CA can ward off viral infections by targeting the extracellular attachment between the virion glycoprotein B and the heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the cell's surface.
The scientists also showed that phytic acid had been recognized as a potent antioxidant and inhibitor of iron-catalyzed hydroxyl radical information under in vitro and in vivo conditions.
Lastly, curcumin has also been studied, showing that the natural yellow product extracted from the Indian herb turmeric can modulate proteins of iron metabolism in tissues, making it an iron chelator. This active ingredient is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antitumorigenic properties.
"In our review, we exposed and summarized the effects of some important natural products with an amply demonstrated activity as iron chelators and protease inhibitors, suggesting their involvement for new possible therapeutical strategies towards the pathological contexts related to COVID 19 infection," the team noted in the study.
Source:
COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) - https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
Journal reference:
Carota, G., Ronsisvalle, S., Panarello, F. et al. (2021). Role of Iron Chelation and Protease Inhibition of Natural Products on COVID-19 Infection. Journal of Clinical Medicine. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/11/2306/htm
Natural Products Show Promise Against COVID-19 Via Iron Chelation
Alpha lipoic acid would be the first choice here. It has good bioavailability, followed by caffeic acid. Quercetin has poorer bioavailability due to extensive first pass metabolism. Curcumin collects mainly in the intestinal tract and has very low bioavailability elsewhere, but some companies combine it with piperine in an attempt to increase its absorption.
Criminal
protease inhibitors
Evidently used often for AIDS and it’s prescription only.
“alpha-lipoic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, phytic acid, and curcumin”
Five good options to cure Covid. Worth investigating.
i take all of these every day
knew quercetin was good for covid
the others i took for other health reasons
Interesting. I had Wuhan virus last October and spent 11 days in the hospital (I’m 75). My wife was tested the same time I was initially and was negative. She was tested two more times, once while I was in the hospital and again after I was discharged, and was negative both times (thank God!). One doctor said it was miraculous that she didn’t get it from me. She has been taking alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day for several years now for burning-mouth syndrome; maybe that has something to do with her not getting the virus. She has also been taking a fair amount of vitamin D, so that may have helped. (I know, it’s just anecdotal, but still ...)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.