Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds to Help in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Colleagues,

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an acute and contagious disease that is spread by human-to-human transmission via droplets or direct contact. It was first reported in Wuhan, China, spread worldwide rapidly, and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Clinically, COVID-19 infection is characterized by pneumonia, fever, cough, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although many infections are asymptomatic, individuals with a compromised immune system and/or who have pre-existing respiratory, metabolic, or cardiac disorders are at an increased risk of suffering from serious illness or even death. Since the emergence of COVID-19, significant effort has been made to find preventive (vaccines) or therapeutic (drugs) agents to limit the spread of the infection and reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. It is well-known that one of the strategies to contain the pandemic is based on the strengthening the immune system. An optimal immune response depends on having an equilibrate and adequate nutritional status. Several bioactive compounds ingested daily in the diet may provide remarkable protection against contracting COVID-19. Compounds like vitamins A, C, D and E, phenolic compounds (e.g., curcumin, quercetin), carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, cinnamaldehyde, zinc, selenium, lactoferrin, dietary fiber, and probiotics have been described as having immune-boosting, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. A poor nutritional status is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress which, in turn, can impact the immune system. Thus, the consumption of bioactive compounds in the right concentration may help to boost the immune system response, prevent virus spread, preclude disease progression to the severe stage, and further suppress the excessive inflammation response, providing both prophylactic and therapeutic support against COVID-19. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to gather the latest evidence on the importance of dietary components in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby strengthening the immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Luís Manuel Lopes Rodrigues da Silva
Dr. Gilberto Alves
Guest Editors

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• COVID-19
• bioactive compounds
• antiviral properties