Neurological disorders of COVID-19: insights to applications of natural products from plants and microorganisms

Abstract

In addition to the typical respiratory manifestations, various disorders including involvement of the nerve system have been detected in COVID-19 ranging from 22 to 36%. Although growing records are focusing on neurological aspects of COVID-19, the pathophysiological mechanisms and related therapeutic methods remain obscure. Considering the increased concerns of SARS-CoV-2 potential for more serious neuroinvasion conditions, the present review attempts to focus on the neuroprotective effects of natural compounds as the principle source of therapeutics inhibiting multiple steps of the SARS-CoV-2 infection cycle. The great majority of the natural products with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity mainly inhibit the attachment, entry and gene expression rather than the replication, assembly, or release. Although microbial-derived natural products comprise 38.5% of the known natural products with neuroprotective effects following viral infection, the neuroprotective potential of the majority of microorganisms is still undiscovered. Among natural products, chrysin, huperzine A, ginsenoside Rg1, pterostilbene, and terrein have shown potent in vitro neuroprotective activity and can be promising for new or repurpose drugs for neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2.

Complexation between the Antioxidant Pterostilbene and Derivatized Cyclodextrins in the Solid State and in Aqueous Solution

“…In recent years, the number of research articles on the pharmacological activity of the natural polyphenol pterostilbene (3,5-dimethoxy-4’-hydroxystilbene, PTB), belonging to the stilbene class, has significantly increased, confirming its potential use for the treatment of various human diseases. PTB is well-known for its anti-inflammatory [ 1 , 2 ], antioxidant [ 3 ], anticancer [ 4 , 5 ], and neuroprotective activity and it shows promise for the treatment of complications of SARS-CoV-2 [ 6 , 7 ].…”