A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PROBIOTICS AND THEIR USES FOR CONTROL OF VIRAL INFECTIONS IN THE WAKE OF PANDEMIC COVID-19

2020-04-27T13:16:59+00:00

In this review, an attempt is made to comprehensively study the effectiveness of probiotics for the prevention and/or treatment of viral infectious diseases, which may be useful to combat the new corona virus. This review will provide an overview of the unique mechanism by which viruses are eliminated through the stimulation of type 1 interferon production by probiotics via the activation of dendritic cells. Till today, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials which are evaluating potential agents for treatment. Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus named as SARS Corona virus-2. The pathophysiology of COVID-19 clearly indicate the sensitivity of SARS CoV-2 to IFN. Reports on treatment of COVID-19 patients with IFN shows positive results. Considering the proven antiviral and immunomodulatory activity of probiotics and ability to stimulate interferon production, it is recommended to use probiotics as the adjunctive therapy for the prophylaxis of COVID-19. The ongoing pandemic has upturned the whole world socially and economically. Although further detailed research is necessary in the future, probiotics are expected to be among the rational adjunctive options for the treatment of Corona viral diseases.

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PROBIOTICS AND THEIR USES FOR CONTROL OF VIRAL INFECTIONS IN THE WAKE OF PANDEMIC COVID-19