key: cord-0819273-qev8yg7e
authors: Mehany, Taha; Khalifa, Ibrahim; Barakat, Hassan; Althwab, Sami A.; Alharbi, Yousef M.; El-Sohaimy, Sobhy
title: Polyphenols as promising biologically active substances for preventing SARS-CoV-2: A review with research evidence and underlying mechanisms
date: 2021-01-20
journal: Food Biosci
DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2021.100891
sha: abeae26f2347584b83538240b063a66b6f6a96a0
doc_id: 819273
cord_uid: qev8yg7e

Currently, antiviral drugs and/or vaccines are not yet available to treat or prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this review, we narrated the available data, from credible publishers, regarding the possible role of polyphenols and natural extracts-containing polyphenols in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and their immune-boosting properties. It was revealed that polyphenols could be considered as promising biologically active substances for the prevention of COVID-19. The underlying potential mechanism behind this action is mostly due to the antiviral activities and the immune-regulation functions of polyphenols against COVID-19-infections. Antivirus polyphenolic-based medications can mitigate SARS-CoV-2-enzymes, which are vital for virus duplication and infection. It was also found that triterpenoid, anthraquinone, flavonoids, and tannins are possible keys to scheming antiviral therapies for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2-proteases. The identified pharmacophore structures of polyphenols could be utilized in the explanation of novel anti-COVID-19 designs. The advantage of using mixtures containing polyphenols is related to the high-safety profile without having major side-effects, but further randomized controlled trials are required in the upcoming studies.

activities. These polyphenols have been isolated from a great number of plants, such as fruits, 145 vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, tea, coffee, dark chocolate, and so on (Quero J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 

They are foods: not capsules, pills, or powder-based on natural food components

They have a clear function on the human organism such as