Nutraceuticals in the Prevention of Viral Infections, including COVID-19, among the Pediatric Population: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growth in scientific interest in nutraceuticals, which are those nutrients in foods that have beneficial effects on health. Nutraceuticals can be extracted, used for food supplements, or added to foods. There has long been interest in the antiviral properties of nutraceuticals, which are especially topical in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to evaluate the main nutraceuticals to which antiviral roles have been attributed (either by direct action on viruses or by modulating the immune system), with a focus on the pediatric population. Furthermore, the possible applications of these substances against SARS-CoV-2 will be considered.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; children; hesperidin; lactoferrin; nutraceutical; probiotics; quercetin; resveratrol; viral infections; vitamin; zinc.

Figure 1

Nutraceuticals’ chemical structures.

Figure 2

Summary scheme of several mechanisms exploited by nutraceuticals against SARS-CoV-2 infection. (A) Antiviral effect due to the direct interaction with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or inhibitory effect of viral proliferation. (B) Cell response induced by the activation of Nrf2 and following genetic regulation downstream. Activated Nrf2 dissociates from its complex with KEAP1 and migrates from cytoplasm to nucleus within which it interacts with ARE (Antioxidant Response Element) sequences producing gene regulation both promoting antioxidant response and reducing the inflammatory cascade (49). (C) Indirect immune system modulation through enhancement of immune performance and concurrent decrease of pro-phlogistic cytokines like IL-6 IL-1β and TNFα in order to mitigate the harmful effects of cytokine storm.