scholarly journals Probiotics against Viral Infections: Current Clinical Trials and Future Perspectives

Immuno ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-498
Author(s):  
Pedro A. Reyes-Castillo ◽  
Raquel González-Vázquez ◽  
Edgar Torres-Maravilla ◽  
Mario Tello ◽  
Luis G. Bermúdez-Humarán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Viruses ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Tract Infections

Viral infections represent a major health problem worldwide. Due to the wide variety of etiological agents and their increasing resistance to anti-virals and antibiotics treatments, new strategies for effective therapies need to be developed. Scientific evidence suggests that probiotics may have prophylactic and therapeutic effects in viral diseases. Indeed, these microorganisms interact harmoniously with the intestinal microbiota and protect the integrity of the intestinal barrier as well as modulate the host immune system. Currently, clinical trials with probiotics have been documented in respiratory tract infections, infections caused by human immunodeficiency viruses, herpes, human papillomavirus and hepatic encephalopathy. However, the benefits documented so far are difficult to extrapolate, due to the strain-dependent effect. In addition, the dose of the microorganism used as well as host characteristics are other parameters that should be consider when advocating the use of probiotics to treat viral infections. This review addresses the scientific evidence of the efficacy of probiotics in clinical strains perspective in viral infectious diseases in the last 10 years.

scholarly journals Pelargonium Extract EPs 7630 in the Treatment of Human Corona Virus-Associated Acute Respiratory Tract Infections – A Secondary Subgroup-Analysis of an Open-Label, Uncontrolled Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilman Keck ◽  
Andreas Strobl ◽  
Andreas Weinhaeusel ◽  
Petra Funk ◽  
Martin Michaelis
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Pelargonium Sidoides ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Experience in treating human coronavirus (HCoV) infections might help to identify effective compounds against novel coronaviruses. We therefore performed a secondary subgroup-analysis of data from an open-label, uncontrolled clinical trial published in 2015 investigating the proanthocyanidin-rich Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 in patients with the common cold.Methods: 120 patients with common cold and at least 2 out of 10 common cold symptoms received one film-coated 20 mg tablet EPs 7630 thrice daily for 10 days in an uncontrolled, interventional multicentre trial (ISRCTN65790556). At baseline, viral nucleic acids were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Common cold-associated symptoms and treatment satisfaction were evaluated after 5 days and at treatment end. Based on the data of patients with proof of viral nucleic acids, we compared the course of the disease in patients with or without HCoV infection.Results: In 61 patients, viral nucleic acids were detected. Of these, 23 (37.7%) were tested positive for at least one HCoV (HCoV subset) and 38 (62.3%) for other viruses only (non-HCoV subset). Patients of both subsets showed a significant improvement of common cold symptoms already after 5 days of treatment, although the observed change tended to be more pronounced in the HCoV subset. At treatment end, more than 80% of patients of both groups were completely recovered or majorly improved. In both subsets, less than 22% of patients took concomitant paracetamol for antipyresis. The mean number of patients’ days off work or school/college was similar (0.9 ± 2.6 days in HCoV subset vs 1.3 ± 2.8 days in non-HCoV subset). In both groups, most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with EPs 7630 treatment.Conclusion: EPs 7630 treatment outcomes of common cold patients with confirmed HCoV infection were as favourable as in patients with other viral infections. As this trial was conducted before the pandemic, there is currently no evidence from clinical trials for the efficacy of EPs 7630 in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dedicated non-clinical studies and clinical trials are required to elucidate the potential of EPs 7630 in the early treatment of HCoV infections.

scholarly journals Viral Infections, the Microbiome, and Probiotics

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashton Harper ◽  
Vineetha Vijayakumar ◽  
Arthur C. Ouwehand ◽  
Jessica ter Haar ◽  
David Obis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Viral Immunity ◽  
Immunological Mechanisms ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Tract Infections

Viral infections continue to cause considerable morbidity and mortality around the world. Recent rises in these infections are likely due to complex and multifactorial external drivers, including climate change, the increased mobility of people and goods and rapid demographic change to name but a few. In parallel with these external factors, we are gaining a better understanding of the internal factors associated with viral immunity. Increasingly the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been shown to be a significant player in the host immune system, acting as a key regulator of immunity and host defense mechanisms. An increasing body of evidence indicates that disruption of the homeostasis between the GI microbiome and the host immune system can adversely impact viral immunity. This review aims to shed light on our understanding of how host-microbiota interactions shape the immune system, including early life factors, antibiotic exposure, immunosenescence, diet and inflammatory diseases. We also discuss the evidence base for how host commensal organisms and microbiome therapeutics can impact the prevention and/or treatment of viral infections, such as viral gastroenteritis, viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papilloma virus (HPV), viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), influenza and SARS CoV-2. The interplay between the gastrointestinal microbiome, invasive viruses and host physiology is complex and yet to be fully characterized, but increasingly the evidence shows that the microbiome can have an impact on viral disease outcomes. While the current evidence base is informative, further well designed human clinical trials will be needed to fully understand the array of immunological mechanisms underlying this intricate relationship.

scholarly journals Natural Supplements for COVID19—Background, Rationale, and Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 2515690X2110368
Author(s):  
Melody Hermel ◽  
Megan Sweeney ◽  
Yu-Ming Ni ◽  
Robert Bonakdar ◽  
Douglas Triffon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Biomedical Literature ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Current Guidelines

Worldwide, the turmoil of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated a burst of research efforts in search of effective prevention and treatment modalities. Current recommendations on natural supplements arise from mostly anecdotal evidence in other viral infections and expert opinion, and many clinical trials are ongoing. Here the authors review the evidence and rationale for the use of natural supplements for prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including those with potential benefit and those with potential harms. Specifically, the authors review probiotics, dietary patterns, micronutrients, antioxidants, polyphenols, melatonin, and cannabinoids. Authors critically evaluated and summarized the biomedical literature published in peer-reviewed journals, preprint servers, and current guidelines recommended by expert scientific governing bodies. Ongoing and future trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov were also recorded, appraised, and considered in conjunction with the literature findings. In light of the controversial issues surrounding the manufacturing and marketing of natural supplements and limited scientific evidence available, the authors assessed the available data and present this review to equip clinicians with the necessary information regarding the evidence for and potential harms of usage to promote open discussions with patients who are considering dietary supplements to prevent and treat COVID-19.

scholarly journals Treatment of urinary tract infections with medicinal plants: Monographs of some plants species revealed by traditherapists

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victorien Dougnon ◽  
Phénix Assogba ◽  
Hornel Koudokpon ◽  
Césaire Ayena ◽  
Sosthéne Vissoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
The World ◽  
Tract Infections

Medicinal plants are a precious heritage for humanity and especially for the majority of poor communities in developing countries who depend on them for primary health care and livelihoods. They are used in traditional practices against urinary tract infections without any scientific evidence for most of the species used. This work aims to have a summary of the literature on some medicinal plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. To do this, this study was carried out based on the different medicinal plants cited by herbalists in southern Togo against urinary tract infections. The names of these different plants have each been the subject of research with keywords in search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, FreefullPdf, and others to bring out the traditional use of these plants in the world. From all of the above, it appears that the medicinal plant species cited by actors of the Togolese pharmacopoeia are used to treat several diseases in the world. The organs of these plants, such as leaves, bark, and roots are used in the treatment of common illnesses such as typhoid fever, diarrhea, malaria, bronchitis, and hypofertility. Coughs, colds, skin diseases, toothache, gonorrhoea, viral infections, and many other diseases are treated with these plants. The plants are often combined with other plants in traditional medicine. They are used in the form of decoction, fumigation, herbal tea, and others. The type of disease treated by the plants changes from region to region and is also dependent on the culture of the region in the world. The use of medicinal plants is a very ancient practice. It is a very suitable alternative to modern medicine. However, there is a need to have more detailed studies on these plants, such as their toxicological effects.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Effects of Punica granatum (Pomegranate): An Updated Review of Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Samira Eghbali ◽  
Sayyedeh Fatemeh Askari ◽  
Razieh Avan ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Punica Granatum ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Phytochemical Content ◽  
Endocrine Diseases ◽  
Future Drug

Punica granatum L. belongs to the Punicaceae family which is distributed around the world. Different parts of pomegranate like seed, peel, juice, and leaves are rich in potential bioactive compounds. These plants have found application in traditional medicine such as in treatment of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and endocrine diseases, among others. The present review aimed to summarize the current research on the traditional and scientific applications of P. granatum with regard to the phytochemical content and clinical applications that may be useful for future drug development. Information about P. granatum was obtained from local classic herbal literature and electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Several phytochemical constituents including polyphenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanosides, alkaloids, lignans, and triterpenes have been reported from the plant. Randomized clinical trials have provided evidence as to the pharmacological activities of pomegranate in several diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, oral cavity disorders, endocrine disorders, and cancer. The present review has provided an insight into the traditional applications of the plants, and some of them have been validated by scientific evidence, particularly their applications as treatment of cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.

scholarly journals Ginger from Farmyard to Town: Nutritional and Pharmacological Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Oshiomame Unuofin ◽  
Nelisiwe Prenate Masuku ◽  
Oluwatomiwa Kehinde Paimo ◽  
Sogolo Lucky Lebelo
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Nausea And Vomiting ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Tract Infections

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most widely used natural products consumed as a spice and medicine for treating diabetes, flatulent intestinal colic, indigestion, infertility, inflammation, insomnia, a memory booster, nausea, rheumatism, stomach ache, and urinary tract infections. To date, over 400 bioactive components, such as diarylheptanoids, gingerol analogues, phenylalkanoids, sulfonates, monoterpenoid glycosides, steroids, and terpene compounds have been derived from ginger. Increasing evidence has revealed that ginger possesses a broad range of biological activities, especially protective effects against male infertility, nausea and vomiting, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and other effects. The pharmacological activities of ginger were mainly attributed to its active phytoconstituents such as 6-gingerol, gingerdiol, gingerol, gingerdione, paradols, shogaols, sesquiterpenes, zingerone, besides other phenolics and flavonoids. In recent years, in silico molecular docking studies revealed that gingerol (6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol) and Shogaol (6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 10-shogaol) had the best binding affinities to the receptor protein in disease conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, obesity, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, some clinical trials have indicated that ginger can be consumed for alleviation of nausea and vomiting induced by surgery, pain, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, male infertility. This review provides an updated understanding of the scientific evidence on the development of ginger and its active compounds as health beneficial agents in future clinical trials.

The Novel Antipsychotic Drug Cariprazine and Cognition Enhancing Drugs: Indications for Their Use as an Add-on Therapy in Schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix-Martin Werner ◽  
Rafael Coveñas
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Antipsychotic Drug ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Antipsychotic Drugs ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Novel Antipsychotic

Background: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are treated with antipsychotic drugs. Some patients show treatment-resistant forms of psychotic disorders and, in this case, they can be treated with clozapine. In these patients and based on previous reviews on novel antipsychotic drugs, it is important to know whether an add-on therapy with new drugs can ameliorate the positive and negative schizophrenic scale (PANSS) total score. Objective: The aim of this review is to suggest an appropriate treatment for patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychotic disorders. A combination of current available antipsychotic drugs with novel antipsychotic or modulating drugs might improve negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive function and thereby social functioning and quality of life. Results: The mechanisms of action, the therapeutic effects and the pharmacokinetic profiles of novel antipsychotic drugs such as cariprazine, brexipiprazole and lumateperone are up-dated. Published case reports of patients with treatmentresistant psychoses are also discussed. These patients were treated with clozapine but a high PANSS total score was observed. Only an add-on therapy with cariprazine improved the score and, above all, negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive functions. To ensure a constant antipsychotic drug concentration, long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs may be a choice for a maintenance therapy in schizophrenia. New modulating drugs, such as receptor positive allosteric modulators (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor; subtype 5 of the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor) and encenicline, an alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist, are being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. Conclusion: In clinical trials, patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychosis should be examined to know whether a combination therapy with clozapine and a novel antipsychotic drug can ameliorate the PANSS total score. In schizophrenia, long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs are a safe and tolerable maintenance therapy. In further clinical studies, it should be investigated whether patients with treatment-resistant forms of psychoses can improve negative schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive functions by an add-on therapy with cognition enhancing drugs.

Antibody Therapy for the Control of Viral Diseases: An Update

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1108-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Dibo ◽  
Eduardo C. Battocchio ◽  
Lucas M. dos Santos Souza ◽  
Matheus D. Veloso da Silva ◽  
Bruna K. Banin-Hirata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Viral Antigen ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Antibody Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Viral Diseases ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
The Status ◽  
Epidemiological Impact

The epidemiological impact of viral diseases, combined with the emergence and reemergence of some viruses, and the difficulties in identifying effective therapies, have encouraged several studies to develop new therapeutic strategies for viral infections. In this context, the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of viral diseases is increasing. One of the strategies of immunotherapy is the use of antibodies, particularly the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and multi-specific antibodies, which bind directly to the viral antigen and bring about activation of the immune system. With current advancements in science and technology, several such antibodies are being tested, and some are already approved and are undergoing clinical trials. The present work aims to review the status of mAb development for the treatment of viral diseases.

Current RNA-based Therapeutics in Clinical Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Yan Zhou ◽  
Zhou Qin ◽  
Yang-Hui Zhu ◽  
Zhi-Yao He ◽  
Ting Xu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Rna Modifications ◽  
Guide Rna ◽  
Endogenous Genes

Long-term research on various types of RNAs has led to further understanding of diverse mechanisms, which eventually resulted in the rapid development of RNA-based therapeutics as powerful tools in clinical disease treatment. Some of the developing RNA drugs obey the antisense mechanisms including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, small activating RNAs, and ribozymes. These types of RNAs could be utilized to inhibit/activate gene expression or change splicing to provide functional proteins. In the meantime, some others based on different mechanisms like modified messenger RNAs could replace the dysfunctional endogenous genes to manage some genetic diseases, and aptamers with special three-dimensional structures could bind to specific targets in a high-affinity manner. In addition, the recent most popular CRISPR-Cas technology, consisting of a crucial single guide RNA, could edit DNA directly to generate therapeutic effects. The desired results from recent clinical trials indicated the great potential of RNA-based drugs in the treatment of various diseases, but further studies on improving delivery materials and RNA modifications are required for the novel RNA-based drugs to translate to the clinic. This review focused on the advances and clinical studies of current RNA-based therapeutics, analyzed their challenges and prospects.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Role of Nutrition and Supplementation

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 976
Author(s):  
Fiorenzo Moscatelli ◽  
Francesco Sessa ◽  
Anna Valenzano ◽  
Rita Polito ◽  
Vincenzo Monda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
The World ◽  
Diet Regimen ◽  
Specific Diet

At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus (COVID-19) appeared on the world scene, which mainly affects the respiratory system, causing pneumonia and multi-organ failure, and, although it starts with common symptoms such as shortness of breath and fever, in about 2–3% of cases it leads to death. Unfortunately, to date, no specific treatments have been found for the cure of this virus and, therefore, it is advisable to implement all possible strategies in order to prevent infection. In this context, it is important to better define the role of all behaviors, in particular nutrition, in order to establish whether these can both prevent infection and improve the outcome of the disease in patients with COVID-19. In the literature, it is widely shown that states of malnutrition, overweight, and obesity negatively affect the immune system, leading to viral infections, and several studies have shown that nutritional interventions can act as immunostimulators, helping to prevent viral infections. Even if several measures, such as the assumption of a specific diet regimen, the use of dietary supplements, and other similar interventions, are promising for the prevention, management, and recovery of COVID-19 patients, it is important to highlight that strong data from randomized clinical trials are needed to support any such assumption. Considering this particular scenario, we present a literature review addressing several important aspects related to diet and SARS-CoV-2 infection, in order to highlight the importance of diet and supplementation in prevention and management of, as well as recovery from COVID-19.

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