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Curcumin as a Potential Treatment for COVID-19
Bruna A C Rattis1,2, Simone G Ramos1, Mara R N Celes1,2
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Insights
Curcumin, a natural compound, shows promise as an adjuvant therapy for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Its multiple mechanisms, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, may help manage this complex infectious disease.
Area of Science:
- * Pharmacology
- * Virology
- * Immunology
Background:
- * Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents significant management challenges due to its rapid global spread and high mortality.
- * Existing treatment strategies like drug repositioning lack specificity for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19.
- * The heterogeneous pathophysiology of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2's host modulation mechanisms require multifaceted therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review the potential of curcumin as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19.
- * To elucidate the specific mechanisms by which curcumin may interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- * To highlight curcumin's potential contribution to managing COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- * Literature review focusing on curcumin's pharmacological properties.
- * Analysis of curcumin's known effects on viral infections and inflammatory pathways.
- * Examination of curcumin's potential interactions with SARS-CoV-2 at various stages of infection.
Main Results:
- * Curcumin exhibits multiple beneficial properties including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and cytoprotective effects.
- * These properties suggest curcumin can target various aspects of COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- * Curcumin's broad action potential makes it a promising candidate for integrated therapeutic strategies.
Conclusions:
- * Curcumin demonstrates significant potential as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19.
- * Its diverse mechanisms of action can address the complex and multifactorial nature of the disease.
- * Further research into curcumin's role in COVID-19 treatment is warranted.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that rapidly spread throughout the world leading to high mortality rates. Despite the knowledge of previous diseases caused by viruses of the same family, such as MERS and SARS-CoV, management and treatment of patients with COVID-19 is a challenge. One of the best strategies around the world to help combat the COVID-19 has been directed to drug repositioning; however, these drugs are not specific to this new virus. Additionally, the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is highly heterogeneous, and the way of SARS-CoV-2 modulates the different systems in the host remains unidentified, despite recent discoveries. This complex and multifactorial response requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach, enabling the integration and refinement of therapeutic responses of a given single compound that has several action potentials. In this context, natural compounds, such as Curcumin, have shown beneficial effects on the progression of inflammatory diseases due to its numerous action mechanisms: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and cytoprotective. These and many other effects of curcumin make it a promising target in the adjuvant treatment of COVID-19. Hence, the purpose of this review is to specifically point out how curcumin could interfere at different times/points during the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, providing a substantial contribution of curcumin as a new adjuvant therapy for the treatment of COVID-19.
