Antiviral and immunological activity of zinc and possible role in COVID-19

Abstract

Zinc deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases. This narrative review aims at presenting and discussing functional aspects and possible mechanisms involved in the potential role of zinc in the immune response and antiviral activity for COVID-19 prevention and control. The searches were conducted in PubMed and Science Direct databases, using clinical trials, experimental studies in animals and humans, case-control studies, case series, letters to the editor, and review articles published in English, without restrictions on year of publication. Search approach was based on using the terms: “zinc”, “COVID-19”, “antiviral agents”, “immunologic factors”, and “respiratory tract infections”. Literature shows the importance of zinc as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body. Thus, although there is still a scarcity of studies evaluating zinc supplementation in patients with COVID-19, the results on the topic show the necessity of controlling zinc mineral deficiency, as well as maintaining its homeostasis in the body in order to strengthen the immune system and improve the prevention of highly-complex viral infections, such as that of the COVID-19.

Zinc pyrithione is a potent inhibitor of PLPro and cathepsin L enzymes with ex vivo inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication

“…UV-vis stability measurement of the above-mentioned compounds in HEPES buffer also gave comparable curves (Supplementary Figs. [13][14][15]. Therefore, the UV-vis stability analysis provided us with encouraging results for further biological assays.…”

“…UV-vis spectroscopy was first used to determine if the compounds are stable in aqueous media and therefore suitable for further biological studies (Supplementary Figs. [10][11][12][13][14][15]. The same media were used as for cathepsin L and PL Pro enzymatic assays, i.e.…”

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted March 4, 2022. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.03.482819 doi: bioRxiv preprint 4 that zinc deficiency increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. [13][14][15][16] There is some evidence that Zn 2+ can indirectly inhibit ACE2 receptors 10,17,18 and furin was also reported to be inhibited by zinc. 19 Low bioavailability of zinc may also negatively affect the activity of signalling molecules (interferon type 1, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin IL-6) leading to cytokine storm and severe lung damage.…”

In Vitro Determination of Inhibitory Effects of Humic Substances Complexing Zn and Se on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replication

“…Humic acids act as ionophores for Zinc ions, as demonstrated by published works of Smirnova [ 70 ] and Krezel [ 71 ]. The nutritional role of Zinc(2+) ions in the fight against many coronaviruses has also been recently published [ 72 ]. As shown by Zhang et al and Rakib et al, the antiviral activity of selenium ion against SARS-CoV-2 [ 73 ] can be enhanced by the combination of Se − with aromatic compounds [ 74 ].…”

A Case-Control Study for the Effectiveness of Oral Zinc in the Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19

“…The antiviral properties of zinc are virus-specific, but it appears that zinc ion availability plays a significant role in the antiviral efficacy of zinc ( 15 ). Additionally, the literature shows the importance of Zn as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body ( 20 ). In terms of the ACE-2 receptor, it has been known that SARS-CoV-2 utilizes ACE-2 receptors found at the surface of the host cells to get inside the host cell.…”