Table 5 Different functional foods and their benefits outlined
From: Functional food: complementary to fight against COVID-19
Scientific name | Major Bioactive components examples | Properties | Role(s) in fighting COVID-19 | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Allium sativum (Garlic) | Allicin, ajoene, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, S-allyl-cysteine, S-allyl-cysteine sulfoxide (Alliin) | Anti-inflammatory | Alliin and other components inhibit the Mpro protease of SARS-CoV-2 by forming hydrogen bonds with it, thus inhibiting replication of the virus. Garlic increases the number of Treg cells, cytotoxic and helper T cells, and NK cells which are all reduced during COVID-19 infection. Garlic reduces leptin levels which improve appetite loss in COVID-19 patients. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Neuroprotective | ||||
Hepatoprotective | ||||
Anti-hypertensive | ||||
Cholesterol-lowering | ||||
Anti-obesity | ||||
Anti-hyperlipidemic | ||||
Zingiber officinale (Ginger) | Gingerols (such as 6-gingerol), shogaols, paradols quercetin, zingerone, 6- dehydrogingerdione gingerenone-A, zingiberene, β-bisabolene, α-curcumene | Anti-inflammatory | 8-Gingerol and 10-Gingerol inhibit SARS‑CoV‑2 main protease receptor by binding to its active site. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Neuroprotective | ||||
Anti-cholinergic | ||||
Anti-histaminic | ||||
Anti-obesity | ||||
Anti-nausea | ||||
Bioavailability enhancer | ||||
Curcuma longa (Turmeric) | Curcuminoids (Curcumin) | Anti-inflammatory | Curcumin mediates anti-inflammatory responses against inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Thus curcumin may attenuate cytokine storms that prevent COVID-19 severity, such as ARDS. Reduced TNF-α also prevents pulmonary edema in COVID-19 lung disorders. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Immunomodulating | ||||
Anti-mutagenic | ||||
Radioprotective | ||||
Anti-tumor | ||||
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) | Glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin | Anti-inflammatory | Glycyrrhizin inhibits the 11bHSD2 enzyme, which degrades cortisol to increase aldosterone levels, leading to downregulation of ACE2 receptors and potential virus entry points in certain organs. | |
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Hepatoprotective | ||||
Immunostimulatory | ||||
Anti-pyretic | ||||
Anti-ulcer | ||||
Azadirachta Indica (Neem) | Nimbolide, desacetylgedunin, azadirachtin, gedunin, azadirone, azadiradione, epoxyazadiradione, catechin, epicatechin | Anti-inflammatory | Desacetylgedunin, alongside 18 other compounds in Neem, has been shown in molecular docking studies to inhibit papain-like protease of SARS-CoV-2, which reduces viral spread. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Immunostimulant | ||||
Hepatoprotective | ||||
Neuroprotective | ||||
Anti-pyretic | ||||
Anti-ulcer | ||||
Anti-gingivitis | ||||
Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi/Holy Basil) | Vicenin, Isorientin 4′-O-glucoside 2″-O-p-hydroxybenzoate, ursolic acid | Anti-inflammatory | Vicenin, Isorientin 4′-O-glucoside 2″-O-p-hydroxybenzoate and ursolic acid form bonds with Mpro protease of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit it which would interfere with viral replication in patient. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Immunomodulatory | ||||
Hepatoprotective | ||||
Anti-depressant | ||||
Anti-diarrheal | ||||
Anti-hypertensive | ||||
Analgesic | ||||
Adaptogenic | ||||
Piper nigrum (Black pepper) | Piperdardiine, Piperanine, Piperlonguminine, Piperyline, Piperine, Piperettiine | Anti-inflammatory | Piperdardiine and Piperanine can inhibit SARS‑CoV‑2 main protease receptor by binding to its active site. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-depressant | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-parasitic | ||||
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) | Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, L-borneol, L-bornyl acetate | Anti-inflammatory | Cinnamon essential oil downregulates inflammatory biomarkers while cinnamon extract reduces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF- α. This may result in the prevention of cytokine storm and COVID-19 complications such as lung fibrosis. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Cholesterol-lowering | ||||
Lipid-lowering | ||||
Allium cepa (Onion) | Quercetin, Ferulic acid, kaempferol, γ-glutamylcysteine, alliin, Zwiebelane A, Furfuraldehyde | Anti-inflammatory | Quercetin can improve COVID-19 associated pulmonary fibrosis through reduced collagen accumulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar wall thickness, and inflammatory markers. | |
Antimicrobial | ||||
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Anti-diabetic | ||||
Immunoprotective | ||||
Anti-hypertensive | ||||
Analgesic | ||||
Camellia sinensis (Tea) | Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin gallate (GCG),catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), gallocatechin (GC) | Anti-inflammatory | EGCG inhibits Mpro protease and structural proteins (6lu7, 6lvn, 6lxt, 6vsb, and 6vw1) better than conventional drugs in SARS-CoV-2. | |
Anti-oxidative | ||||
Anticancer | ||||
Neuroprotective | ||||
Anti-hypertensive | ||||
Lipid-lowering | ||||
Anti-photoaging |