The role of berberine in Covid-19: potential adjunct therapy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Immunology
• Virology

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, triggers inflammatory, immunological, and oxidative responses.
• SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to endothelial dysfunction, acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure (MOF).
• Complementary herbal medicines are needed to manage COVID-19 alongside conventional treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of berberine (BBR) as a therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV-2.
• To evaluate BBR's effects on COVID-19-associated pathologies, including inflammation and lung injury.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating berberine's pharmacological properties.
• Analysis of BBR's impact on SARS-CoV-2 replication and associated inflammatory pathways.
• Assessment of BBR's role in mitigating COVID-19 complications like ALI/ARDS.

Main Results:

• Berberine exhibits anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects, reducing viral proliferation and associated inflammatory changes.
• BBR inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory signaling pathways, thereby mitigating ALI/ARDS risk in COVID-19 patients.
• The herbal medicine demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral activities.

Conclusions:

• Berberine is a potential candidate for managing COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties.
• BBR can attenuate SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammatory disorders and alleviate ALI/ARDS in severe COVID-19 cases.
• Further clinical trials are recommended to establish BBR's therapeutic role in COVID-19 treatment.