Nutraceuticals: Potential prospect for COVID-19 management

Across the globe, the SARS-CoV-2 infection or the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed thousands of fatalities every day. Researchers have been able to produce vaccines, however, it is as recent as December 2020, that the use of the same has been initiated, though all such products are still being studied for their long-term safety and efficacy, since the virus is fast mutating. The discovery of specific antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 also has not seen the light of the day. Thus, the strategy to control the pandemic is largely focused on use of supplements and nutraceuticals, mostly plant based. These products can be used as preventive as well as to mitigate the symptoms and thereby provide therapy. Such products are ahead of other pharmacological candidates, as they are comparatively cheaper, easily available locally and the adverse reactions are negligible, if any. The nutraceuticals being used work as immunomodulators, thereby manipulating the immune response in mitigating the infection. They assist in regulating not only inflammation but also mediate the immune response to cater to preventing damage to respiratory system, the major concern in COVID-19. Many nutraceuticals have been found to benefit the disease conditions under various viral attacks, though detailed study on SARS-CoV-2 is underway for many such products. The current review focuses on presenting the nutraceuticals which have been evaluated for their antiviral properties. The antiviral effects are mediated through direct inhibition to the entry of the virus into host cells or through the indirect modulation of the immune system, thereby enhancing the recovery of patients. With their proven potential towards many disorders/diseases, their medicinal potential could be the sunlight in providing an end to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.