Exploring the Protective Effect of Food Drugs against Viral Diseases: Interaction of Functional Food Ingredients and SARS-CoV-2, Influenza Virus, and HSV

Abstract

A complex network of processes inside the human immune system provides resistance against a wide range of pathologies. These defenses form an innate and adaptive immunity, in which certain immune components work together to counteract infections. In addition to inherited variables, the susceptibility to diseases may be influenced by factors such as lifestyle choices and aging, as well as environmental determinants. It has been shown that certain dietary chemical components regulate signal transduction and cell morphologies which, in turn, have consequences on pathophysiology. The consumption of some functional foods may increase immune cell activity, defending us against a number of diseases, including those caused by viruses. Here, we investigate a range of functional foods, often marketed as immune system boosters, in an attempt to find indications of their potential protective role against diseases caused by viruses, such as the influenza viruses (A and B), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in some cases mediated by gut microbiota. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms that govern the protective effects of some functional foods and their molecular constituents. The main message of this review is that discovering foods that are able to strengthen the immune system can be a winning weapon against viral diseases. In addition, understanding how the dietary components function can aid in the development of novel strategies for maintaining human bodily health and keeping our immune systems strong.

Deciphering the Relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and Cancer

“…The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 was responsible for huge sanitary and socio-economic difficulties experienced all across the entire world because of the high transmission rates of the virus, its pathogenicity and the lack of effective COVID-19 treatments [57][58][59][60][61] or vaccines [62][63][64] available when it first emerged, and the rapid genetic mutational conversion observed in the last years [65][66][67].…”

Summary of the Current Status of DNA Vaccination for Alzheimer Disease

“…Famously, researchers aim to provide effective treatments for medical conditions with minimal side effects. In recent decades, a number of studies on functional foods have been conducted to obtain foods with therapeutic activity [63]. Therefore, attempts to discover phytochemicals from food products with specific anti-AD properties are desirable as these could be part of a combined therapeutic approach using at the same time 'food drugs' and DNA and RNA vaccines.…”

What Is New about Parsley, a Potential Source of Cardioprotective Therapeutic Substances?

“…These herbs, as functional foods and nutraceuticals, can exert a protective and therapeutic role against multiple diseases, such as cancer, viral diseases, and cardiometabolic pathologies. Their actions include, among others, strengthening the immunity defense against infectious agents, preventing cell damage, and modulating inflammation, hemostasis, and the metabolism of lipids and glucose [9][10][11][12]. Among these widely used herbs, we highlight basil (Ocimum basilicum L.; Lamiaceae), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.; Apiaceae), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.; Lamiaceae), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.)…”