Bioactive lipid-based therapeutic approach to COVID-19 and other similar infections

Abstract

It is suggested that COVID-19 (coronavirus) and other enveloped viruses can be inactivated by bioactive lipids. Bioactive lipids (BALs) AA, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), dihomo-GLA (DGLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are precursors to anti-inflammatory metabolites prostaglandin E1, lipoxin A4, resolvins, protectins and maresins that enhance phagocytosis of macrophages and leukocytes to clear debris, enhance microbial clearance and wound healing to restore homeostasis. BALs influence cell membrane fluidity and thus, prevent SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and Arboviruses (such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika) to infect the target cells. BALs modulate the generation of M1 and M2 macrophages. Mesenchymal and adipose tissue-derived stem cells secrete LXA4 and other BALs to bring about their beneficial actions in COVID-19. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), derived from arachidonic acid, triggers generation of anti-inflammatory lipoxin A4 and thus, modulates pathogenesis of COVID-19. AA, the precursor to both PGE2 and LXA4, and thus, is suited to prevent and ameliorate COVID-19.

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the severity and mortality of COVID patients: A systematic review

“…The synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and their metabolites (termed as bioactive lipid mediators) is one of the underappreciated mechanisms by which the human innate immune system may inactivate various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses [56] . Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) play an important in the management of COVID-19 disease and effectively promote the resolution of infectious inflammation [57] .…”

Tailored lipopeptide surfactants as potentially effective drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…The nasal application of lipopeptide fusion inhibitors have been shown to prevent the infection efficiently in ferrets [23] which has a similar function to the proposed drug in this work by the competition mechanism. The treating of the infection by the bioactive lipids (e.g., AA) [11] , [12] , [13] is another aspect of the functionality of the lipopeptide surfactant which explained in the previous section.…”

“…Disruption of the membrane of the enveloped viruses by certain compounds (e.g., a lysine- and arginine-specific supramolecular ligand (CLR01)) known as molecular tweezers has been reported and suggested as a potential treatment mechanism [10] . In the same vein, membrane disintegration can be implemented by simpler compounds like the unsaturated fatty acids (bioactive lipids) to destroy the virus [11] , [12] . Some of these compounds (e.g., arachidonic acid) have been already approved by FDA and are safe to be used in the lipopeptide surfactant molecule.…”

“…Some of these compounds (e.g., arachidonic acid) have been already approved by FDA and are safe to be used in the lipopeptide surfactant molecule. In fact, interactions of AA with the novel corona virus have shown that it can prohibit the viral infection through the virus membrane disruption as well as the metabolic inference and virus proliferation inhibition [11] , [13] . However, the administration procedure and virus targeting have not been fully addressed yet [14] .…”