Emergent Drug and Nutrition Interactions in COVID-19: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Abstract

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause respiratory tract infections ranging from colds to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). New Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which led to deaths as well as social and economic disruptions, is an ongoing worldwide pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, there is no approved treatment for COVID-19. Hence, only supportive care has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for now. Pharmacological agents used for the adjunctive treatment of COVID-19 following the current literature and clinical experiences include antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-malaria drugs, and other traditional or untraditional treatments. However, it has been reported that the use of these drugs may have some negative effects and comorbidities. Moreover, the current data have indicated that the risk of drug-drug interactions may also be high in polypharmacy cases, especially in elderly people, some comorbidity situations, and intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is highly possible that these situations can not only increase the risk of drug-drug interactions but also increase the risk of food/nutrition-drug interactions and affect the nutritional status. However, this issue has not yet been entirely discussed in the literature. In this review, current information on the possible mechanisms as well as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of some pharmacological agents used in the treatment of COVID-19 and/or their secondary interactions with nutrition were evaluated and some future directions were given.

Lectins ConA and ConM extracted from Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC and Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC inhibit planktonic Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis

“…The main reason is, in addition to the emergency treatment of this disease, an alternative to the cytotoxicity presented by antivirals (Tallei et al 2021 ). Most of the adverse effects presented by these drugs are related to gastrointestinal disorders, such as hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, remdesivir and others (Ağagündüz et al 2021 ). Polyphenols, such as those obtained from green tea, are reported to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.…”

An exhaustive comprehension of the role of herbal medicines in Pre- and Post-COVID manifestations

“…Thus, providing daily vitamin and trace element intakes is imperative for malnourished individuals. ( Ağagündüz et al, 2021 ; El Zakhem et al, 2021 ). There is also a wide prospect of research, and it is the right time to execute translational and operational research on Ayurvedic medicines on COVID- 19 as preventive and curative measures on a large scale.…”

Betelvine (Piper betleL.): A comprehensive insight into its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological, biomedical and therapeutic attributes

“…Pharmacological properties of medicinal plants are primarily attributed to a variety of bioactive phytochemicals with biomedical and pharmaceutical significance. 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 Plants are known to house a number of different classes of phytoconstituents 19 , 20 , 21 such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenes and oligosaccharides. 22 , 23 , 24 Such phytochemicals have also been reported against an array of human ailments.…”