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Review
. 2022;21(1):291-312.
doi: 10.1007/s11101-021-09759-z. Epub 2021 May 22.

Flavonoids are promising safe therapy against COVID-19

Moza Mohamed Alzaabi  1   2 , Rania Hamdy  3   4 , Naglaa S Ashmawy  3   5 , Alshaimaa M Hamoda  3   6   7 , Fatemah Alkhayat  8 , Neda Naser Khademi  8 , Sara Mahmoud Abo Al Joud  8 , Ali A El-Keblawy  1   2 , Sameh S M Soliman  3   8
Affiliations
Review

Flavonoids are promising safe therapy against COVID-19

Moza Mohamed Alzaabi et al. Phytochem Rev. 2022.

Abstract

Flavonoids are a class of phenolic natural products, well-identified in traditional and modern medicines in the treatment of several diseases including viral infection. Flavonoids showed potential inhibitory activity against coronaviruses including the current pandemic outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and designated as COVID-19. Here, we have collected all data related to the potential inhibitory mechanisms of flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 infection and their significant immunomodulatory activities. The data were mapped and compared to elect major flavonoids with a promising role in the current pandemic. Further, we have linked the global existence of flavonoids in medicinal plants and their role in protection against COVID-19. Computational analysis predicted that flavonoids can exhibit potential inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 by binding to essential viral targets required in virus entry and/ or replication. Flavonoids also showed excellent immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities including the inhibition of various inflammatory cytokines. Further, flavonoids showed significant ability to reduce the exacerbation of COVID-19 in the case of obesity via promoting lipids metabolism. Moreover, flavonoids exhibit a high safety profile, suitable bioavailability, and no significant adverse effects. For instance, plants rich in flavonoids are globally distributed and can offer great protection from COVID-19. The data described in this study strongly highlighted that flavonoids particularly quercetin and luteolin can exhibit promising multi-target activity against SARS-CoV-2, which promote their use in the current and expected future outbreaks. Therefore, a regimen of flavonoid-rich plants can be recommended to supplement a sufficient amount of flavonoids for the protection and treatment from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Flavonoids; Global distribution; Immunomodulatory; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestAll authors declared there is no financial interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diagrammatic cartoon drawing of SARS-CoV-2 showing the main structural features of the virus. The red frame and cross sign indicated a critical therapeutic target
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Diagrammatic drawing of the virus life cycle and critical therapeutic targets indicated in red frame and cross sign
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Major flavonoids identified with potential inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Binding affinity of flavonoids to Mpro
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Binding affinity of elected flavonoids to ACE-2 receptor
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Binding affinity of elected flavonoids to TMPRSS2
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Bioavailability radar of flavonoids. The figures indicated the acceptable pharmacokinetics and within conformity range. The pink area indicates preferred properties range
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Global heat map indicated the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods in representative countries. The heat map was generated by reporting the consumption of flavonoids per country (ElDohaji et al. 2020)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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