Antiinflammatory phytochemicals against virus-induced hyperinflammatory responses: Scope, rationale, application, and...

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Immunology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Uncontrolled inflammatory responses, or cytokine storms, during viral infections lead to severe health consequences, including multi-organ failure and death.
• Emerging viral threats and a lack of effective vaccines necessitate complementary strategies to mitigate infection-induced hyperinflammation and host tissue injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in mitigating hyperinflammatory injury caused by viral infections.
• To comprehensively examine phytochemical mechanisms in modulating hyperimmune and pro-inflammatory responses during viral infections.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review focusing on anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and their mechanisms against viral infection-induced inflammation.
• Analysis of how phytochemicals modulate gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function to indirectly reduce inflammation.
• Discussion on strategies for improving phytochemical bioavailability, delivery, and safety for phytotherapies.

Main Results:

• Identified predominant phytochemicals and their specific mechanisms in suppressing viral-induced hyperinflammatory and hyperimmune responses.
• Highlighted the indirect anti-inflammatory effects of certain phytochemicals through gut microbiota modulation and intestinal barrier maintenance.
• Discussed the importance of bioavailability, delivery systems, and safety for effective phytotherapies.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive phytochemicals hold significant potential as complementary agents to mitigate pro-inflammatory injury associated with viral infections.
• Further tightly controlled clinical studies are required to establish the efficacy of phytochemicals in managing viral infection-induced inflammation.