Elderberries as a potential supplement to improve vascular function in a SARS‐CoV‐2 environment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has been triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). Although recent studies demonstrate that SARS‐CoV‐2 possibly does not directly infect endothelial cells (EC), the endothelium may be affected as a secondary response due to the damage of neighboring cells, circulating pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and/or other mechanisms. Long‐term COVID‐19 symptoms specifically nonrespiratory symptoms are due to the persistence of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Based on the literature, anthocyanins a major subgroup of flavonoid polyphenols found in berries, have been well researched for their vascular protective properties as well as the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)‐related deaths. Elderberries have been previously used as a natural remedy for treating influenza, cold, and consequently cardiovascular health due to a high content of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (C3G) a major anthocyanin found in the human diet. The literature reported many studies demonstrating that EE has both antiviral and vascular protective properties that should be further investigated as a nutritional component used against the (in)direct effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 in vascular function. Practical applications: While previous work among the literature looks promising and builds a suggestion for investigating elderberry extract (EE) against COVID‐19, further in vitro and in vivo research is required to fully evaluate EE mechanisms of action and its use as a supplement to aid current therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]