In a study published in Antioxidants on MDPI.com on June 17, 2021, researchers analyzed the potential of antioxidants “as adjuvants for the treatment of COVID-19 and specifically their possible role in preventing or decreasing the neurological manifestations and neurological complications present in the disease.” Since antioxidants can reduce inflammation and benefit immune response, the researchers suggested that they may be able to improve the prognosis of patients infected with COVID-19.

The researchers noted that the antioxidant activity of different compounds used in Chinese herbal medicine has been well documented, and recently some of them demonstrated their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Some of the antioxidant compounds showed “high affinity for the S2 domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2,” while some “interacted strongly with the residues of heptad repeat 1 and 2 regions of S2 proteins of SARS-CoV-2, inhibiting the fusion between the virus and target cell membranes.”

In addition, they stated that “Currently, some studies propose the use of antioxidants to treat neurological manifestations of COVID-19, such as melatonin … In a recent review, Wongchitrat and coworkers suggested the use of melatonin supplementation against SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.” They also noted that other antioxidant compounds that could be potential neuroprotectants are phytochemicals resveratrol, quercetin and kaempferol, which may be able to ameliorate neuronal injury and inflammation. Several other antioxidant compounds have been suggested by researchers for the treatment of neurological problems caused by COVID-19. “Currently, the effect of several antioxidant compounds for the treatment of neurological or psychiatric manifestation in COVID-19 patients is under evaluation in clinical trials.”

To read the whole study, visit https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/6/971/htm.

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