Role of Probiotics in the Management of COVID-19: A Computational Perspective

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic at the beginning of 2020, causing millions of deaths worldwide. Millions of vaccine doses have been administered worldwide; however, outbreaks continue. Probiotics are known to restore a stable gut microbiota by regulating innate and adaptive immunity within the gut, demonstrating the possibility that they may be used to combat COVID-19 because of several pieces of evidence suggesting that COVID-19 has an adverse impact on gut microbiota dysbiosis. Thus, probiotics and their metabolites with known antiviral properties may be used as an adjunctive treatment to combat COVID-19. Several clinical trials have revealed the efficacy of probiotics and their metabolites in treating patients with SARS-CoV-2. However, its molecular mechanism has not been unraveled. The availability of abundant data resources and computational methods has significantly changed research finding molecular insights between probiotics and COVID-19. This review highlights computational approaches involving microbiome-based approaches and ensemble-driven docking approaches, as well as a case study proving the effects of probiotic metabolites on SARS-CoV-2.

Grape seed and skin extract, a potential prebiotic with anti-obesity effect through gut microbiota modulation

“…Despite differences between the human and murine gut microbiotas [ 48 ], we observed in the present study some interesting microbiota similarities between the obese rats and those described in COVID-19 patients [ 49 , 50 ]. For instance, an increase in Streptococcus , Coriobacteriaceae ( Collinsella ) and Clostridium , as well as a decrease in Bacteroides and in bacterial groups producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).…”

Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements for Older Adults with Long COVID-19

“…Numerous studies are currently testing the use of different mixtures of probiotics as adjunctive treatment for the management of both acute and postacute COVID-19. 141 , 144 , 145 Preliminary evidence suggests that probiotics administration may reduce secondary infections in people with severe COVID-19. 146 The consumption of a specific bacterial formulation containing strains of Streptococcus thermophilus , Lactobacillus acidophilus , Lactobacillus helveticus , Lactobacillus paracasei , L plantarum , Lactobacillus brevis , and Bifidobacterium lactis was associated with remission of gastrointestinal symptoms and reduced risk of respiratory failure in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.…”

SARS CoV-2-Induced Viral Sepsis: The Role of Gut Barrier Dysfunction

“…A novel gut microbiota-derived synbiotic formula known as SIM01, when administered as an adjuvant therapy in 25 COVID-19 patients, enhanced antibody formation against SARS-CoV-2 and reduced the inflammatory response, as measured by plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1RA, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and TNF-α [ 79 ]. The specific effect of probiotics on gut barrier parameters and immune activation has not been elucidated up to now, but several different probiotic strains and combinations are currently tested in COVID-19 while more information is pending [ 80 ].…”