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Review
. 2021;17(4):849-854.
doi: 10.1007/s11332-021-00787-y. Epub 2021 May 28.

Potential role of Nigella sativa supplementation with physical activity in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: a contemporary review

Hossein Shirvani  1 , Fatemeh Rostamkhani  2 , Ehsan Arabzadeh  1 , Faezeh Mohammadi  1 , Fatemeh Mohammadi  3
Affiliations
Review

Potential role of Nigella sativa supplementation with physical activity in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: a contemporary review

Hossein Shirvani et al. Sport Sci Health. 2021.

Abstract

The widespread prevalence and mortality of coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) lead many researchers to study the SARS-CoV-s2 infection to find a treatment for this disease. Discovering the mechanisms of action of COVID-19 and coping at the cellular level with this disease can have better effects. Including the target tissues of this disease are the lungs and the immune system. It is stated that COVID-19 easily infiltrates into alveoli through its receptors and then starts to proliferate. Subsequently, with the weakening of immune cells and increase inflammatory cytokines, it increases the rate of inflammation in the body. Strengthening the immune system and inhibiting COVID-19 receptors can play a preventive or even therapeutic role for this disease. Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is one of the herbal medicines to possess numerous pharmacological effects related to several organs of the body. Among the extraordinary properties of this plant is improving asthma and several lung diseases. The recent studies have shown that N. sativa at the cellular level can inhibit COVID-19 receptors. It was also stated that performing regular exercise training (especially moderate-intensity exercise training) can modulate the immune system and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Since the use of herbal supplements with exercise can have tremendous therapeutic effects at the cellular level, the hypothesis to use the Nigella sativa along with exercise training to prophylaxis and treatment COVID-19 will be highlighted in this paper.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exercise; Nigella sativa supplementation; Physical activity; Prevention; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chemical structure of Thymol (a), Thymoquinone (b), and Dithymoquinone (c)
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