Prospective options of algae-derived nutraceuticals as supplements to combat COVID-19 and human coronavirus diseases

Abstract

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that has created huge trepidation worldwide, has a mortality rate of 0.5% to 1% and is growing incessantly. There are currently no therapies and/or vaccines that may help abate this viral disease, but the use of masks and social distancing can limit the spread. Boosting immunity has been a simple way to resist viral infection and limit fatalities. In this context, the use of nutraceuticals appears to be a potential panacea. The ability of algae-based nutraceuticals, mainly Spirulina, to boost immunity against viral diseases has already been reported clinically. Spirulina-based nutraceuticals boost the adaptive and innate immunity, and bioactive compounds, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor peptides, phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides, and calcium-Spirulan, can serve as antiviral agents. The presence of these molecules indicates its potential role in resisting infection and COVID-19 disease progression. This review focuses on the potential role of algal nutraceuticals as immune boosters to combat the human coronavirus and other viral diseases. The potential use of Spirulina-based nutraceuticals for combating COVID-19, its mechanism, and future directions have also been discussed.

Keywords: Algae; Antiviral; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Immune-booster; Nutraceuticals.

Fig. 1

Postulated mechanism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) 2 pathogenesis and proposed potential of supplementation of Spirulina nutraceuticals in alleviating oxidative stress and tissue injury. Similar to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV2 is believed to infect host cells via binding of the virus spike protein with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 receptors of the host cell and lead to the downregulation of the ACE2. ACE2 is a suppressor of the renin-angiotensin system, where ACE catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin (Ang) I to Ang II, which further binds to angiotensin II type 1 receptors and induces acute tissue injury. On the other hand, ACE2 hydrolyzes Ang II to Ang 1 to 7 peptide that acts on the Mas receptor and protect from tissue injury. Supplementation of Spirulina nutraceuticals in SARS-CoV2 infection may help upregulate ACE2 activity and downregulate ACE activity that may further assist to overcome cytokine release syndrome and aid in tissue protection and repair.