scholarly journals Hesperidin and SARS-CoV-2: New Light on the Healthy Function of Citrus Fruits

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 742
Author(s):  
Paolo Bellavite ◽  
Alberto Donzelli

Among the many approaches to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention, the possible role of nutrition has so far been rather underestimated. Foods are very rich in substances, with a potential beneficial effect on health, and some of these could have an antiviral action or be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of citrus fruits, and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin and flavonoid content. Among the flavonoids, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy, both with the coronavirus “spike” protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The binding energy of hesperidin to these important components is lower than that of lopinavir, ritonavir, and indinavir, suggesting that it could perform an effective antiviral action. Furthermore, both hesperidin and ascorbic acid counteract the cell damaging effects of the oxygen free radicals triggered by virus infection and inflammation. There is discussion about the preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at the dose achievable by the diet, but recent reviews suggest that this substance can be useful in the case of strong immune system burden caused by viral disease. Computational methods and laboratory studies support the need to undertake apposite preclinical, epidemiological, and experimental studies on the potential benefits of citrus fruit components for the prevention of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Author(s):  
Paolo Bellavite ◽  
Alberto Donzelli

Among the many approaches to COVID-19 prevention, the possible role of diet has so far been somewhat marginal. Nutrition is very rich in substances with a potential beneficial effect on health and some of these could have an antiviral action or in any case be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of Citrus fruits and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin content, but less for the function of its flavonoids. Among the latter, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy both with the coronavirus "spike" protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The affinity of hesperidin for these proteins is comparable if not superior to that of common chemical antivirals. The preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at dosage attainable by diet, against viral infections is controversial, but recent reviews suggest that this substance may be useful in case of increased stress on the immune system. Finally, the reasons that suggest undertaking appropriate research on the Citrus fruits addition in the diet, as a complementary prevention and treatment of COVID-19, are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  

Emerging results support the concept that Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related dementia are affected by the ability of the immune system to contain the brain's pathology. Accordingly, well-controlled boosting, rather than suppression of systemic immunity, has been suggested as a new approach to modify disease pathology without directly targeting any of the brain's disease hallmarks. Here, we provide a short review of the mechanisms orchestrating the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system. We then discuss how immune checkpoint blockade directed against the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways could be developed as an immunotherapeutic approach to combat this disease using a regimen that will address the needs to combat AD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  

Emerging results support the concept that Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related dementia are affected by the ability of the immune system to contain the brain’s pathology. Accordingly, well-controlled boosting, rather than suppression of systemic immunity, has been suggested as a new approach to modify disease pathology without directly targeting any of the brain’s disease hallmarks. Here, we provide a short review of the mechanisms orchestrating the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system. We then discuss how immune checkpoint blockade directed against the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways could be developed as an immunotherapeutic approach to combat this disease using a regimen that will address the needs to combat AD.


AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akikazu Sakudo ◽  
Yoshihito Yagyu

AbstractEfficient methods to achieve the safe decontamination of agricultural products are needed. Here, we investigated the decontamination of citrus fruits to test the antifungal potential of a novel non-thermal gas plasma apparatus, termed a roller conveyer plasma instrument. This instrument generates an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (APDBP) plasma on a set of rollers. Penicillium venetum was spotted onto the surface of the fruit or pericarps, as well as an aluminium plate to act as a control, before performing the plasma treatment. The results showed that viable cell number of P. venetum decreased with a decimal reduction time (D value or estimated treatment time required to reduce viable cell number by 90%) of 0.967 min on the aluminium plate, 2.90 min and 1.88 min on the pericarps of ‘Kiyomi’ (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) and ‘Kawano-natsudaidai’ (C. natsudaidai) respectively, and 2.42 min on the surface of ‘Unshu-mikan’ (C. unshiu). These findings confirmed a fungicidal effect of the plasma not only on an abiotic surface (aluminium plate) but also on a biotic surface (citrus fruit). Further development of the instrument by combining sorting systems with the plasma device promises an efficient means of disinfecting citrus fruits during food processing.


Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 885
Author(s):  
Georgia Fousteri ◽  
Amy Dave Jhatakia

Viral infections are a natural part of our existence. They can affect us in many ways that are the result of the interaction between the viral pathogen and our immune system. Most times, the resulting immune response is beneficial for the host. The pathogen is cleared, thus protecting our vital organs with no other consequences. Conversely, the reaction of our immune system against the pathogen can cause organ damage (immunopathology) or lead to autoimmune disease. To date, there are several mechanisms for virus-induced autoimmune disease, including molecular mimicry and bystander activation, in support of the “fertile field” hypothesis (terms defined in our review). In contrast, viral infections have been associated with protection from autoimmunity through mechanisms that include Treg invigoration and immune deviation, in support of the “hygiene hypothesis”, also defined here. Infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is one of the prototypes showing that the interaction of our immune system with viruses can either accelerate or prevent autoimmunity. Studies using mouse models of LCMV have helped conceive and establish several concepts that we now know and use to explain how viruses can lead to autoimmune activation or induce tolerance. Some of the most important mechanisms established during the course of LCMV infection are described in this short review.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soudabeh Kavousi Pour ◽  
Shiva Mohammadi ◽  
Ebrahim Eftekhar ◽  
Sajad Jalili ◽  
Elham Arabizadeh ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a contagious disease originating from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Previous experimental studies indicate that viral miRNAs (vMirs) have essential functions in pathogen-host interaction, immune escape, host cell death, and tumorigenesis during viral infection. MiRNAs are small, single-stranded RNAs that exist in viruses as well as in animals. Thus, these molecules can play a pivotal role in viral disease pathogenesis. Objective: Since no approved drugs or vaccines currently exist for SARS-CoV2 and its pathogenic mechanism is unknown, we explored and proposed viral microRNAs (vmiRNAs) platforms as potential antiviral therapeutic agents against its SARS-CoV2. Therefore, the development of antiviral drugs to target vmiRNAs may result in down-regulation of viral virulence genes expression and suppression of viral proliferation. Methods: In this study, to attain insight into the potential role of SARS-CoV2 derived miRNAs in the viral infection background, we used a set of computational methods to scan the SARS-CoV2 genome that finally led to computationally predicted 13 potential candidate viral microRNAs. Furthermore, we expected the potential genes in a human host that were the target of these candidate vmiRNAs by applying mirPath software. Results: Our study proposed a theory indicating that these predicted viral miRNAs might have a plausible role in altering human target gene expression, mainly contributing to the viral infectious state, inflammation, and immune system escape. This vmiRNAs maight have therapeutic trends as antiviral agents against Covid-19 infection. Conclusion: These findings offer a reference idea for a supplementary study on miRNA identification as a drug target and the necessity to increase understanding of SARS-CoV2 genome structure for better combat against the virus.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-741
Author(s):  
D. B. Dill

THE STUDY of work performance as related to age began in this country when Sid Robinson joined the group at the Fatigue Laboratory of the Harvard School of Business Administration. In the winter of 1936-7, he persuaded five champion milers who were in Boston for indoor meets to run on the Laboratory's treadmill on week-ends. Simultaneously, he was chiefly engaged in studying treadmill performance as related to age. This was the subject of his doctorate thesis published later under the title: "Experimental Studies of Physical Fitness as Related to Age". The 91 subjects ranged in age from boys 6 years of age to one man of 91. There were eight 6-year-olds, 10 between 8 and 13 and 20 between 48 and 76. Robinson's background as an Olympic middle-distance runner and as an assistant track coach at Indiana University gave him skill in dealing with the many diverse problems that confronted him. Often he was faced with sociological-psychological problems more difficult to solve than the physiological problems. Indicative of his success is the fact that the subjects were volunteers—no money was offered as an inducement to come to the laboratory. Also worthy of note is that there was no untoward incident throughout the study. Robinson's plan included respiratory, circulatory and metabolic observations in the basal state and in two grades of exercise. He describes the work experiments as follows: (pp. 251-3, reference 2) "After the above observations were completed, the subject performed two grades of work on a motor-driven treadmill, set at an angle of 8.6% in all experiments. Each subject below 73 years of age first walked at 5.6 km per hour for 15 minutes; this raises the oxygen consumption 7 or 8 times the basal level. After resting 10 minutes, he ran or in some cases, walked, at a rate which exhausted him in 2 to 5 minutes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Ulzii-Orshikh Dorj ◽  
Uranbaigal Dejidbal ◽  
Hongseok Chae ◽  
Lkhagvadorj Batsambuu ◽  
Altanchimeg Badarch ◽  
...  

A new computer vision algorithm for citrus fruit quality classification based on the size of a single tree fruits was developed in this study. The image properties of area, perimeter, and diameter for the citrus fruits were measured by pixels. In order to estimate citrus fruit size in a realistic manner, the ratios of diameter, perimeter and area in pixel values in relation to the actual size of one fruit were determined. The total of 1860 citrus fruits were grouped based on diameter, perimeter, and area in pixels. The results of the grouping of citrus fruits by diameter, perimeter and area were compared with the results of the survey research into citrus fruit size as conducted by the Jeju Citrus Commission. Comparative results reveal that the image of the citrus fruit diameter in pixels demonstrate a more accurate size than the other two pixel values, i.e. perimeter and area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Tao Liu

Abstract Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 infects the body and becomes an incurable and recurring disease. The pathogenesis of HSV-2 infection is not completely clear.Methods: We analyze the GSE18527 dataset in the GEO database in this paper to obtain distinctively displayed genes(DDGs)in the total sequential RNA of the biopsies of normal and lesioned skin groups, healed skin and lesioned skin groups of genital herpes patients, respectively.The related data of 3 cases of normal skin group, 4 cases of lesioned group and 6 cases of healed group were analyzed.The histospecific gene analysis , functional enrichment and protein interaction network analysis of the differential genes were also performed, and the critical components were selected.Results: 40 up-regulated genes and 43 down-regulated genes were isolated by differential performance assay.Histospecific gene analysis of DDGs suggested that the most abundant system for gene expression was the skin, immune system and the nervous system.Through the construction of core gene combinations, protein interaction network analysis and selection of histospecific distribution genes, 17 associated genes were selected:CXCL10,MX1,ISG15,IFIT1,IFIT3,IFIT2,OASL,ISG20,RSAD2,GBP1,IFI44L,DDX58,USP18,CXCL11,GBP5,GBP4 and CXCL9.The above genes are mainly located in the skin, immune system, nervous system and reproductive system.Conclusion:This paper elucidates an effective approach for a new mechanism of HSV-2 infection, and the molecular mechanism of the selected core genes in the process of HSV-2 infection requires future experimental studies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document