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Nutraceuticals in Viral Infections: An Overview of the Immunomodulating Properties.
- Source :
-
Nutrients [Nutrients] 2021 Jul 14; Vol. 13 (7). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jul 14. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Nutraceuticals, including vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, lactoferrin, polyphenols coenzyme Q, magnesium, and selenium, are implicated in the modulation of the complex molecular pathways involved in the immune response against viral pathogens. A common element of the activity of nutraceuticals is their ability to enhance the innate immune response against pathogens by acting on the major cellular subsets and inducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. In some cases, this action is accompanied by a direct antimicrobial effect, as evidenced in the specific case of lactoferrin. Furthermore, nutraceuticals act through complex molecular mechanisms to minimize the damage caused by the activation of the immune system against pathogens, reducing the oxidative damage, influencing the antigen presentation, enhancing the differentiation and proliferation of regulatory T cells, driving the differentiation of lymphocyte subsets, and modulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this paper, we review the main molecular mechanisms responsible for the immunomodulatory function of nutraceuticals, focusing on the most relevant aspects for the prevention and treatment of viral infections.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Antiviral Agents adverse effects
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Immune System immunology
Immune System metabolism
Immune System virology
Immunologic Factors adverse effects
Treatment Outcome
Virus Diseases immunology
Virus Diseases metabolism
Virus Diseases virology
Viruses immunology
Viruses pathogenicity
Antiviral Agents therapeutic use
Dietary Supplements adverse effects
Immune System drug effects
Immunologic Factors therapeutic use
Virus Diseases drug therapy
Viruses drug effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2072-6643
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nutrients
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34371920
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072410